Monument record MDO5834 - Linear ditch near Sovell Plantation, Long Crichel

A linear ditch running downhill from a ridge towards the Crichel Brook, about 700 metres in length. It is very close to, and runs parallel to one side of an enclosure.

A linear feature is visible as a cropmark on air photographs. It follows a sinuous course for some 700 metres, running roughly southwest-northeast. It passes close to the subrectangular enclosure MDO45476) the northwestern side of which seems to mirror the course of the linear. Slightly further north, it also passes close to the causewayed subrectangular enclosure (MDO5833) for which a Neolithic date has been suggested, although it shares the same alignment as the larger enclosure. The cropmarks were mapped by RCHME in 1997 as part of the Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic Project. See the archive report for full details.

The Linear was seen running down the hillside into the Gussage valley presuambly crossing the Gussage under the present village of Gussage St Michael and probably continuing as the linear ditch 213770. <3>

<1> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1975, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume V (East), 40 (Monograph). SDO129.

'(32) ENCLOSURE AND LINEAR DYKE, in the extreme E. corner of the parish, have been flattened by ploughing, but are visible on air photographs (R.A.F., CPE/UK 1845: 6050-2; C.U.A.P., ANC 57; N.M.R., ST 9810). The enclosure (984109) lies on a S.E. slope at about 280 ft. above O.D., just off the summit of the ridge between the Crichel and Gussage valleys. Almost square, but with rounded corners, the sides are about 300 ft. long and enclose some 2 acres (Plate 85); the interior is featureless; no entrance is seen. The linear ditch (98531110-98021065) runs parallel with and very close to the N.W. side of the enclosure. It begins on the ridge-top, in Gussage St. Michael, and extends S.W. for over 700 yds. across the ridge-top and down the slope towards the Crichel Brook.'

<2> Bowen, H C, 1990, The Archaeology of Bokerley Dyke, 13 (Monograph). SWX800.

<3> Dyer, Carolyn, RCHME/EH/HE Aerial Photographers comment CD, 17-MAR-1997 (Verbal communication). SDO19361.

<3.1> National Monuments Record, 16-Feb-2005, NMR ST 9811/10 NMR 23822/19 (Aerial Photograph). SDO19360.

<4> Historic England, Historic England Archive, MD002804 (Index). SDO14738.

Gussage St Michael Survey. Aerial Survey record. Material held by Aerial Survey.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1247704 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 15 2023 10:10AM