Monument record MDO4473 - Prehistoric enclosure and field boundaries, Milton Abbas

A rectilinear enclosure is visible as low earthworks on aerial photographs and lidar imagery. It was digitally recorded during the Mid Dorset Downs AIM project. It is part of a fragmented field system of probable prehistoric date that is situated on the ridge to the northeast of Long Close Farm and extends north-westwards to Long Ash Farm.

Centred at ST 79560075. An earthwork consisting of a bank 8.0m. wide and 0.1m. high on the NW. and SW sides, 7.0m. wide and 0.7m. high when measured from outside the SE. side, which side is well defined.

The bank forms almost three sides of a rectangular enclosure situated at the top of a small rise.

Its date and purpose are obscure. There is a small digging in the SE. corner, but the earthwork is in such poor condition, with no outer ditch, that it could possibly be nothing more than a small field of fairly modern date. It is under pasture. Visible on APs. <1>

The enclosure is visible as low earthworks on lidar imagery and was digitally recorded during the Mid Dorset Downs AIM project. It is part of a fragmented field system of probable prehistoric date that is situated on the ridge to the northeast of Long Close Farm and extends north-westwards to Long Ash Farm. (EA 2023)

<1> Quinnell, N V, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigator's Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 30-AUG-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<2> Royal Air Force, 11-APR-47, RAF/CPE/UK/1974 4356 (Aerial Photograph). SDO17621.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 201874 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

<4> Environment Agency, 15-DEC-2023, LIDAR Environment Agency DTM (Aerial Photograph). SDO20691.

Record last edited

Dec 14 2025 1:25AM