Monument record MDO85 - Medieval field system at Barcombe, Alton Pancras

Long fields overlying and altering the layout of part of an extensive prehistoric field system. The form of the earthworks suggests that they are medieval strip fields.

<1> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 2, 327 (Monograph). SDO136.

‘GROUP (41): BARCOMBE (Alton Pancras; Plate 88). Modified 'Celtic' fields cover 15 acres of the S.W. slopes of Church Hill (ST 70200330–70690337) N.E. of Barcombe Farm on Chalk between 500 ft. and 600 ft. O.D. An early pattern of squarish fields has been overlaid by long fields, in one case measuring 180 yds. by 30 yds. Other ploughing, probably mediaeval, has further altered the plan.

Mediaeval alteration is indicated by the fact that, uphill, some fields end in an arc typical of strip lynchets and that, downhill, lynchets continue towards the valley bottom, where, although almost destroyed, there are remains of the strip fields of Barcombe (Alton Pancras (15)). Field slopes are 12° to 17½°. Downhill lynchets up to 18 ft. high have partly determined the sinuous line of the present hedge along the N. side of the bottom.

Immediately N.E. is a continuous lynchet line, up to 10 ft. high at the E., forming the edge of other cultivation which has probably destroyed former 'Celtic' field remains continuing E. towards Group (42).
Air photographs: CPE/UK 1975: 1041–2.’

Record last edited

Nov 21 2022 9:14AM