SWX8450 - Lulworth Ranges, South Dorset. Archaeological Integrated Land Management Plan (ILMP) Baseline Study. Desk-based Archaeological Assessment and Monument Condition Survey

In August 2001 Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Defence Estates to undertaken an archaeological baseline study of the Lulworth Ranges, South Dorset (NGR 388000 082000). Lulworth Ranges comprise c. 2,830 hectares of the Dorset coast and its hinterland. the Study consisted of two elements, a desk-based assessment and a monument condition survey. The desk-based assessment identified 107 archaeological sites ranging in date from the Bronze Age through to the post-medieval period. During the condition survey, only seven sites could not be found. Seven new sites were identified during the course of the condition survey. Just over half of the monuments surveyed wee thought to be in good or exemplary condition, with nearly twenty percent in poor condition. The stability of the monuments was also assessed. Results indicated that of the 106 monuments it was possible to assess, the majority of the monuments (6) were described as being in stable condition, one was improving, 34 were in gradual decline and 11 were in rapid decline. The various agencies of erosion were identified and their effects on different types of archaeological sites, was assessed. The two most serious recent threats to archaeological monuments were considered to be animal burrowing (particularly badgers), and shelling.