Monument record MDO47592 - Western outwork, Hambledon Hill, Child Okeford

A fairly well preserved Neolithic causewayed double cross-dyke on Hambledon Hill. Two, and possibly all three, of the spurs which joined the central domed summit of Hambledon Hill are "re-inforced" by double cross-dykes. The superficial form of the cross-dykes and their excavated profiles are similar to those of the main causewayed enclosure. Excavation during Roger Mercer's 1974-86 campaign has shown them to be of earlier Neolithic origin. Their initial creation may well have been contemporary with the main causewayed enclosure. The earthworks on Hambledon Hill were surveyed by RCHME in 1996. The southern cross-dyke lies immediately to the south of the main causewayed enclosure, extending for 180 metres east-west across the neck of the Stepleton spur. The earthwork comprises two main banks and ditches, with an outer counterscarp bank, all of which are causewayed. The western outwork appears to have incorporated the terminal of the southern cross dyke, suggesting that the former post-dates the latter. However, the cross-dyke also appears to have been modified and extended after the western outwork was constructed.

The so-called 'Western Outwork' can be seen on many early aerial photographs but was recognised for the first time by Roger Palmer <1>.

(ST 8467 1225 - 8482 1198) Between late May and late August 1996 the Cambridge and Exeter offices of RCHME carried out an earthwork survey and aerial photographic interpretation of the complex of monuments on Hambledon Hill as part of the project to record Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic period. <2>

RCHME recorded a stretch of 340m, running along the break of slope of the very steep W side of Hambledon Hill. It comprises essentially a steep scarp up to 2.0m high, representing a slight enhancement of the natural slope. Slight sub-circular hollows, up to 9m in diameter, along the top of this scarp were interpreted as quarry hollows by Palmer. Occasional intervening slight mounds may indicate some form of superstructure or embankment. Along the base of the scarp, some 19 ditch segments can be traced as minimal depressions (though in places there is only a level terrace), indicating that the earthwork was of causewayed construction.

Mercer interprets this earthwork, and similar stretches as a late Neolithic attempt to fortify the hilltop. <4>

For further details, see RCHME Level 3 client report and earthwork plan at 1:1000 scale, held in archive. <3>

<1> Palmer, Roger, 1986, Hambledon Hill. The Earthwork Survey (Monograph). SDO20389.

<2> RCHME: Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic (Monograph). SWX1665.

<3> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Historic England Archive AF1079113 RCHME: Hambledon Hill, Dorset (Excavation archive). SDO20294.

<4> Mercer, R, and Healy, F, 2008, Hambledon Hill, Dorset, England. Excavation and survey of a Neolithic monument complex and its surrounding landscape, 32-34, 131-133 (Monograph). SDO13474.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1058084 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 23 2025 10:27AM