Monument record MDO43549 - Second World War activity, Pimperne

Remains of Second World War activity encountered during excavations in 1960-63 at the Pimperne Iron Age enclosure ST 80 NE 6. Surface finds from one trench were interpreted as indications of "some military activity...possibly as a vehicle depot". Damage to the enclosure earthworks suggested use of the site in connection with anti-aircraft defences on the Downs during the war. According to the excavators, "casual finds and local recollection suggest that the [site] could have been used for a searchlight installation, and the levelling of the earthworks may have been intended to facilitate access for military vehicles and equipment". A small circular earthwork within the Iron Age enclosure proved to have been "a modern entrenchment for a light anti-aircraft battery, and contained at the bottom of a central pit a well-stratified army cape". In addition, a small mound outside the enclosure to the north east, superficially resembling a Bronze Age round barrow, was also found to have been of World War 2 date. It is presumed that other circular mounds and earthworks of similar proportions in the vicinity are of similar date and purpose. <1>

<1> Harding, D W, Blake, I M and Reynolds, P J, 1993, An Iron Age Settlement in Dorset; Excavation and Reconstruction (Article in monograph). SDO12422.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1310697 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 3 2022 2:17PM