Latest Miscellany

Details of Stone Circle on Pastscape

(SY 57788782) Stone Circle (NR) (1)
Called Kingston Russell circle. Stones of sarsen with many flints and water worn pebbles (one at least quartize), a
conglomerate – all are prone. (2) Kingston Russell Stone Circle consists of eighteen fallen
conglomerate (5) or sarsen (4) stones, the largest of which is about 8 feet long forming an irregular oval 80 feet by 91 feet (5) or 80 feet by 60 feet (4). In 1815 one stone to the south was still standing. The circle appears to retain its full number of stones although many of them may not be in their true positions. Listed as especially worthy of preservation (5).
Two stones of a similar kind to those comprising the circle lie by the side of an adjoining fence (see SY 58 NE 7). (3-5)
A newly erected notice at the site consists of a Ministry of Works plate with the name Kingston Russell Stone Circle. There are eighteen stones, one small one in addition to those on the OS 1:2500 and all are as depicted on Authority 5’s plan. All the stones, of conglomerate and sarsen, are prone. The circle is situated upon downland. (6)
At Kingston Russell Circle there were originally between fourteen and eighteen stones around the circumference of a ring 91 feet in diameter but it is now impossible to decide which of the fragments are bases and which are broken upper parts. Although it cannot be certain it seems that this ring was graded in height with the tallest stones at the north. A stone is supposed to have been added to the ring in recent years. Kingston Russell Stone Circle scheduled and under Guardianship. (7) An account of the stone circle as it was in 1815, at which time only one stone was standing, the ‘rest being thrown down’. (8) Large irregular stone circle of Late Neolithic or Bronze Age date, consisting of eighteen fallen conglomerate or sarsen stones situated on a chalk ridge 750 metres north east of Gorwell Farm. The circle appears to retain its full number of stones, although many of them may not be in their original positions. Two stones of a similar kind to those comprising the circle lie by the side of an adjoining fence (see SY 58 NE 7). The circle has a diameter of 30 metres and has 18 visible stones. The stones vary in size from 2 metres by 0.5 metres to 1 metre by 0.3 metres, although partial burial may mean some of the stones are significantly larger. Scheduled. (9)

Details of The Nine Stones on Pastscape

(SY 61079043) The Nine Stones (NAT) Stone Circle (NR). (1)
The Nine Stones Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age (SY 61079043) stands immediately S of the Bridport road 850 yds W of the church in an enclosure just inside Nine Stone Wood. The site is level at 345 ft above OD on the S edge of a narrow valley floor. The subsoil is apparently river gravel with Upper Chalk adjacent to the S.
The stones, all sarsens, are arranged in a rough circle with internal diameters of about 27 1/2 ft (N to S) and 23 1/2 ft (W to E). Though they are irregularly spaced, a gap to the N is almost twice as wide as any other gap. Seven of the stones are small and low, from about 1 ft to 2 1/2 ft high. Two are more massive: (a) is 7 ft high and its elongated form recalls the ‘A’ stones in the Kennet Avenue near Avebury, Wilts; (b) a large slab, 6 ft high and 6 ft across at the base, is like the ‘B’ stones in the same Avenue (cf Antiquity X (1936), 420).
Aubrey recorded only nine stones, as did Hutchins in 1768; but Warne alleged traces of a tenth to the NE, presumably in the wide gap. Stukeley’s drawing of 1723 shows the circle in the same state as at present and nothing could be seen of any additional stone in 1936. (S and C M Piggott, Antiquity XIII (1939), 146, with facsimile of Aubrey’s MS notes as pl I; J Hutchins, History of Dorset 11, 196, and Gentleman’s Magazine (1768) 112-3, letter signed J H; C Warne, Ancient Dorset (1872), 117-8; J Stukeley, Itinerarium Curiosum II (1742), tab 92, which has been wrongly identified as showing a site in Winterbourne Monkton, Wilts). The site is a guardianship monument of the Ministry of Public Building and Works and is No 149 on the OS Map of Neolithic Wessex. (2)
‘The Nine Stones’ (name on Ministry notice board) remain as described by RCHM. Re-surveyed at 1:2500 on M.S.D. (3)
A late Neolithic/Bronze Age stone circle. The stones are of sarsen or conglomerate and have been arranged in a rough circle. They are irregularly spaced, a gap to the north is almost twice as wide as any other gaps. Seven of the stones are small and low, two are larger. Traces of a tenth stone have been alleged, presumably in the wide gap. Scheduled. (1-3)
The Nine Stones is a late Neolithic or early Bronze Age stone circle. It is located immediately south of the A35 Bridport road, just outside the village of Winterbourne Abbas in an enclosure within Nine Stone Wood. This is situated in a valley bottom close to the South Winterbourne stream. The stones are of sarsen or conglomerate and have been arranged in a rough circle with maximum internal diameter of 8 metres. The circle was first recorded in the 18th century by J. Aubrey, W. Stukeley and W. Hutchins and has seen little change since. The stones measure between 1.5 metres to 0.5 metre in diameter and 1.5 metres to 0.45 metres in height. However all the stones are partially buried and their exact dimensions are not know. Two stones, situated within the northern and western areas of the monument, are notably larger than the rest. The Nine Stones are spaced at about one metre intervals however there is a gap of 3 metres on the northern side, which may be a possible entrance. It was alleged in 1872 by C. Warne that there was originally traces of a tenth stone, which may have filled this gap. However on W. Stukeley’s drawing of 1723 the circle is in the same state as at present. The Nine Stones is one of only four stone circles known to survive within the area, and it’s location in a valley bottom is unusual. (1-5)
‘The 17th century antiquarian John Aubrey described another circle about half a mile to the west but this has since been destroyed, although a fallen 2 metre stone known as the Broad Stone lies semi-buried beside the road about a mile to the west.’ (6) Five of the stones suffered damage from graffiti in the form of white paint in 2007. (7)

This is a multi-phase settlement site, according to CPAT. Some smaller round huts of a prehistoric type are mixed with larger sub-rectangular structures of a medieval or post-medieval type.

It’s a perfect location, with easy access to running water in the Tawe below and the streams running from the plateau above.

Two attempts to locate this cairn in Feb 2016 – one in appalling weather with mist at road level, the other with the additional assistance of the Mam C – proved inconclusive. Coflein has this to say:

‘A round cairn is located on a south-east facing slope at 470m above OD. The slightly oval, flat-topped stony mound measures 8m (N-S) by 7.1m with a height of about 0.3m.... From the rim, on the east and north, there protrude a number of upright and leaning slabs, probably the remains of a kerb. In particular, on the east side there are two inward leaning slabs with exposed lengths of 0.7m and widths of 0.5m and 0.6m.’ [David Leighton, RCAHMW, Feb 1985]

We did, however, locate two interesting features... images of which are posted. Hopeful that other members may be able to succeed so we can return and enjoy the vibe here once again.

From a purely archaeological perspective it is unlikely, in my opinion, that the low, circular feature crowning the deceptively spacious summit of Foel Darw will raise the pulse of any save the die hard prehistorian. However, if exquisite views... and a sense of occupying a special place in the landscape for an hour or two feature in your bag, a visit to Foel Darw’s something for you, too. Schedule a visit as a prelude to the great Nant Tarw complex – or even the twin cairns upon Garn Las across the valley – and I reckon you’ve got yourself a classic day. Dirty white vest optional.

According to RCAHMW (Dave Leighton 20/2/01: ‘On the summit of Foel Derw a low turf-covered stony ground swelling probably marks the remains of a cairn. It measures 11m in diameter and no more than 0.2m high’.

pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=117437

A Neolithic promontory enclosure comprising a projecting spur of Birdlip Hill with two curving concentric earthworks cutting across the axis of the promontory. The site was surveyed by RCHME in 1996 as part of the Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic Project. Quarrying has lowered the tip of the promontory and eroded the north and south sides; the east area is intact. The promontory is cut off by two earthworks across the spur, about 90 metres apart, with vestigial banks which appear virtually continuous. The outer would originally have enclosed an area of more than a hectare. The inner earthwork consists of a bank; the outer, 55 metres to the south east, is a bank with slight external ditch. The area narrows in width from 95 metres at the south eastern end to 15 metres on the northwest. Excavations were undertaken by T Darvill (who referred to the site as Peak Camp) in 1980-1, comprising a trench across the outer earthwork and a small trench towards the western end of the promontory. The outer earthwork comprised a single rock-cut ditch with an internal bank of limestone rubble. The ditch featured at least one causeway, and had seen at least four phases of recutting. Finds included flints, animal bones, and pottery. The second trench revealed a ditch or gulley, which contained further Neolithic pottery, flints and a quantity of bone. The lithic material included leaf-shaped arrowheads and a flake from a polished axe. Research into the dating of Early Neolithic enclosures indicates a construction date for the outer circuit of probably of 3655-3540 cal BC. The enclosure at Peak Camp may have been used into the 33rd century cal BC, although this late date is dependent on a single measurement. The research also highlighted the relationship with the Crickley Hill enclosure nearby, suggesting they were probably built within a generation of each other and were in concurrent use, at least until the destruction of Crickley in the mid-35th century cal BC.

pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1075209

The site of a probable Neolithic causewayed enclosure at Springfield Lyons, visible as cropmarks and tested by small-scale excavation. The cropmarks were transcribed and interpreted by RCHME in 1997 as part of the Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic Project. See the archive report for full details. The existence of the enclosure was realised following excavation of the adjacent Late Bronze Age enclosure (TL 70 NW 86). Excavation in 1990 and 1991 plus air photographs indicate the presence of an arc of pits and/or ditch segments immediately to the east of the Late Bronze Age site, and which appear to cut off a small gravel promontory between two streams which run into the River Chelmer. Trial trenching so far has recovered around 2000 sherds of Mildenhall-style plain bowl sherds, plus Grooved Ware and Beaker sherds from superficial deposits and pits. Much of the Neolithic material appears to have been deliberately placed. Of the two fully-excavated features along the enclosure circuit, one comprised an almost shaft-like pit, and contained deposits of Mildenhall pottery often comprising up to half a complete vessel. One of the pits had a narrow slot associated with Beaker pottery cut into its upper fills. A by-product of the excavation of the Late Bronze Age enclosure is that it is clear that much activity associated with the causewayed enclosure was occurring outside the ditch circuit. It is also intriguing to note that the Late Bronze Age enclosure is itself causewayed, and its principal entrance directly faces the Neolithic enclosure.

pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=879402

A circular enclosure c60m in diameter was examined. Pottery and bronze metal-working moulds from the primary ditch silts indicate a Late Bronze Age date. Later features include a Saxon cremation and inhumation cemetery and Saxon or later post-hole building. (1)

Further grass and cremations were located bringing the total of burials to c150. One of the inhumations was enclosed by a small ring-ditch. Four more Saxon buildings were identified, belonging to at least two phases, together with a number of pits and other features. (2)

Excavation of a circular cropmark enclosure at Springfield, confirmed a Late Bronze Age date for the enclosure. The interior of the enclosure was totally excavated, providing a good plan of all features which had survived subsequent activity at the site. Late Bronze Age features included several post-hole structures, and the post-holes of the revetment for an internal bank. Also located were features and finds of Neolithic/Early Bronze Age and Roman date, an Early Saxon cemetery and a Late Saxon settlement. (3)

Its interesting to look back at my notes from years past on the ground, staring in a state of confusion at the earthworks. Turns out this hill was a massive neolithic complex. 2 definite, 1 probable and 1 maybe causewayed enclosures (1 central, then 1 on each spur) plus 3 causewayed cross banks sepearating the spurs from the central enclousre. Plus 2 long barrows. Then they abandoned it and headed North-West to build a gert large cursus.

Have a look at the link I’ve added for (many) further details.

historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1020710

The monument includes the best surviving part of a prehistoric field system, comprising a number of field banks and associated clearance cairns, all surviving as low earthworks located on a gently sloping clifftop overlooking Lyme Bay. Although not precisely dated, the fields are small and roughly square which suggests an Iron Age origin, with usage perhaps continuing into the Roman period, before the fields were encapsulated within larger medieval or post-medieval field boundaries. The fields lie just to the west of Berry Cliff Camp, a hillfort which is believed to date from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age, and the subject of a separate scheduling (SM29637). The field system is defined to the south by lynchets (field banks and scarps resulting from prehistoric cultivation techniques). These lynchets occupy a narrow strip of clifftop about 270m in length with a maximum width away from the cliff edge of about 100m. Although it is likely that the field system once extended further inland, modern farming techniques have removed all upstanding traces apart from those close to the cliff. The visible remains also include a series of scarps and banks with many of the scarps lying parallel to the cliff edge whilst the banks lie for the most part at right angles to it. Where surveyed in 1989 by the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME), the banks were found to be between 2m-4.5m long and 0.5m-2m wide. Together, the banks and scarps define five or six small fields. Associated with the fields are a number of stone cairns some of which lie on the field banks. These cairns, of which there are about a dozen, are considered to be the result of field clearance and are probably contemporary with the prehistoric working of the fields; they survive as low earth covered piles of flint and stone. Previous commentators have suggested that they might be prehistoric barrows or burial mounds but there is no evidence to support this view. The prehistoric fields have been worked at later periods, perhaps into the medieval and early post-medieval periods, and incorporated into larger rectilinear fields as is evidenced by a long field bank which runs from the monument to a position to its east and a bank and ditch which clearly cuts across the earlier prehistoric field system where it survives on its western side. All fencing, gateposts, and coastal path waymarkers are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath these features is included.

heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MCO8203&resourceID=1020

A near circular univallate camp approximately 90m by 80m first recorded by McLauchlan (b1). The OS found an extremely well preserved, near circular univallate defended enclosure, situated on Lower Helland Down, a spur south of the River Camel (b2). It enclosed approx 1 hectare and has a simple entrance on the east side. A 25m outwork extends from the south-east side to protect the entrance (h1). The enclosure is visible on air photos (p1) and was recorded as part of the NMP.

Two possible Iron Age rounds next to each other.

heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MCO21561&resourceID=1020

Fieldwalking in a field to the north of Dupath Farm in 1992 revealed surface irregularities. One irregularity in particular was thought to be part of a possible enclosure and the find of an Iron Age type of sherd (37118) might support this hypothesis (b1).
(b1) – Walford, G, 1992, Pers Comm to CAU

heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MCO47031&resourceID=1020

The site of a possible round with a road following the eastern boundary; there are slight scarp to the south. A feature to the south has appearance of large rounded dip in the field with stony outcrops on its outer edges approx 50m by 50m. Slight scarps to north, south and west approx 0.45m depth. (RIS-CB field note 48 and 49)

pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=34733

A large circular earthwork is visible on Parracombe Common consisting of a bank and internal ditch which has been interpreted as a henge or a disc barrow. The earthwork forms an enclosure measuring 40 metres in diameter with a bank 3.4 metres wide by 0.4 metres high. It has an internal ditch 0.3 metres deep, and has been bisected by a hedge bank. There was no visible evidence of an entrance during field investigation in 1993. The monument is clearly visible on aerial photographs taken in 1952, but by 1972 it has been severely damaged by ploughing and other agricultural activity. Too much of the monument has been either obscured or destroyed to allow the various claims as to the monument’s nature to be evaluated purely on the basis of the surviving field evidence. On the aerial photographs from 1952, however, it most closely resembles a disc or saucer barrow.

An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Dorset, Volume One

by the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments in 1952:

Earthwork on Shipton Hill (565 ft. above O.D.), ¾ m. N.E. of the church, forms an enclosure of about ¾ acre. The hill-top has been artificially steepened on the N. and S. sides and the two ends form natural ramped causeways leading up to the summit. At the base of the hill on both the N. and S. sides is a ditch with outer rampart of no great strength, and at the present time, for part of their length, both have almost disappeared. Both the ditch and rampart stop short of the E. and W. ends of the hill.

Between the base of the mound and the outer ditch at the eastern half of the S. side is a berm, but it seems probable that it is merely a natural outcrop of rock. The two pathways leading up the slope on the N. and S. are probably modern. On the top of the enclosure near the middle is a cross hedge-bank which appears to have been formed along the eastern scarp of a ditch to an earlier bank, traces of which can be seen immediately E. of the existing hedge-bank. Near the middle of the enclosure is a circular mound, of about 28 ft. diameter and 14in. high.

Beyond the rampart on the N. side, and to a much lesser degree on the S. also, are a series of rough terraces. They would seem to be a natural formation though their surfaces in one or two places show signs of disturbance. Warne (see above) mentions the disturbed nature of the N. E. part of the field immediately to the N.E of this camp and suggests the possibility of its being a Celtic village. This disturbance is still visible but is quite indeterminate.

From this very nice website about the hill: shiptongorge.org.uk/index.php/about-shipton/85-shipton-hill-and-hammiton-hill

There are apparently two monuments here, maybe both “hengiform”, maybe one is a cairn, with maybe a standing stone near to the northern one.

All I can say is there’s a lot of trees and vegetation in these parts. And a stone.

GGAT and Coflein have the following, somewhat contradictory records:

Graig y Gilfach 1 (north) (SO02940346)

GGAT

This cairn was described by RCAHMW in 1960 as ‘a cairn 6.4m in diameter with a flat, turf-covered top, built of loose stone on a natural boss of rock. Beside it on the W is a large block of stone (? an ‘outlier’) on which most of the outline of a millstone, 1.2m in diameter, has been shaped to a depth of 0.10m’.

Poor GPS coverage on day of site visit, but NGR appeared to be in quite a large area of fallen trees. This was searched as well as possible, but no cairn could be seen – possibly concealed below fallen trees.

The site is likely to be a hengiform monument (Wiggins and Evans 2005)

Coflein

Remains of a round burial cairn situated within forestry on the edge of the summit of Twyn Gwersyllfa. The grass covered cairn is circular on plan and measures about 9.5m in diameter and up to 0.7m in height. The cairn was originally scheduled in 1961; however, the area covered by the original designation did not relate accurately to the remains on the ground.

Graig y Gilfach 2 (south) (SO0300103375)
GGAT

Roughly circular monument consisting of an external bank, now spread and indistinct and clearly visible only at the W and N, with an internal ditch 0.4m wide and 0.3m deep. Most of interior falls within a clearing, which also contains the W side of the bank and ditch; elsewhere the bank and ditch are obscured by overhanging trees or have disappeared; young trees are self-sown in the SE quadrant of the enclosure. Classified by RCAHMW, with reservations, as a ring ditch, but actually appears closer in form to a henge, though because of damage to earthworks and low overhanging branches it was not possible to be certain whether there was any entrances. RCAHM however noted in 1960 that the bank was in ten straight sections. Dimensions: 25m diam; ?c0.3m high.

Coflein

A subcircular enclosure, 21.3-24.4m in diameter, defined by a ditch with a slight external bank.

Description from GGAT:

A low mound with traces of a kerb on the W side and a cist in the middle. The mound is well marked on the N side as an earthwork but less so on the other sides. It consists of a slightly raised rim and a raised centre with a more depressed area in between.

It is not possible to determine without excavation whether this is a ring cairn with internal structures, or a badly robbed ordinary cairn. The possible kerb consists of four stones (up to 0.9m across) of which the two middle ones are on the line of the outer side of the rim and therefore probably in situ; the two end stones look as though they have been displaced outwards, especially the N one. The cist is represented by a slit-like hole measuring 2.0m N-S x 0.3m, the E and W sides of which are lined by slabs; only the W side can be clearly seen, and here the lining is a single slab not quite as long as the hole.

In a clearing in forestry at the top of a hill, with a trig point on it and a radio mast immediately to its NE. A N-S path crosses the mound and has eroded slightly into it. Dimensions: Diameter 18.9m, height c0.8m max.

Lovely little Iron Age site in a forestry clearing surrounding by dense conifers giving a sense of seclusion.

The interior also includes two Bronze Age cairns.

From GGAT:

Gwersyll is a rampart, roughly semi-circular in plan, standing on a broad ridge in enclosed, but uncultivated pasture within a forestry plantation.

It appears to be an unfinished ringwork; no trace of a marking out ditch appears on the ground but on an air photo a very slight mark completes the circuit. The diameter is about 52m and the enclosed area, if completed, would have been c0.2ha. The defences measure 11m wide by nearly 2m high overall and comprise a bank, ditch and counterscarp bank. The intended entrance was probably at the east end of the rampart where a slight bank curves round the end of the ditch. There is a causeway across the ditch on the south-east, but no corresponding gap in the bank.

Two platform cairns stand within the enclosure. They stand about 0.3m high; the centres have been dug out though no cists are visible. The larger cairn measures 11mx10m, with a displaced coverstone near the centre. It consists of an irregular oval ring of stones, c 1.2m wide. In the middle is a large stone slab, 1x1m. Outside the stones is a bank 1m wide abnd 0.2m high, which is clearly visible on all but the W side.

There was (is?) a further cairn uphill from here, to the NNE. If it still exists it’s lost on the verge of a forestry track.

From GGAT:

Carn Buarth Maen (SO0269104854)
Possible cairn, appearing as a low indistinct mound entirely covered with thick tussocks of grass; stone can be felt underneath. Edges most clearly marked at S and E; fade out on N and W. On the verge at the S of a forest ride, at the top of an E-facing slope. Dimensions: ?5.6m diameter; c 0.2m high
(1976) Now in a forestry plantation; nothing could be found (RCAHMW)
(1999) Cairn as noted on OS 6 inch 1st edition 1885 map. No visible presence; possibly destroyed by the FE or perhaps it is located within dense tree cover.

Information from the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust RHER:

It [Criccieth Castle] stands within an enclosure formed by the cliffs to the south and an earthen bank to the north which has the appearance of an Iron Age hillfort.

An urn discovered behind the cottage of the Castle custodian might suggest an Iron Age site. The find occurred at a depth of 2.6m behind the cottage of the Criccieth Castle custodian, and it is suggested that the bank under which it lay is a remnant of an Iron Age earthwork.

The rocky outcrop to the northwest of the castle is called Dinas, although there’s no record of any site or finds there.

Since this chambered cairn stands within private property prospective visitors might wish to plan ahead to avoid potential disappointment. Yeah, do it properly rather than replicate my farcical – albeit ultimately successful – attempt.

If so contact e-mail address is: [email protected]

Summarised from Gwynedd Archaeological Trust SMR records:

Two stone circles. One is an earthen circle to the north of the other stone circle. Crawford’s opinion that there were never any stones on the circumference of the smaller circle does not agree with Pennant’s description of it, and the probability is that both circles originally had short standing stones set in a bank of small loose stones, with an external surrounding ditch. They must have been robbed for building stone c.1840 when the mountainside was enclosed, and the only remains visible now are traces of banks and ditches round parts of each circle and a few rough standing stones 2-3ft high. Beaker sherds from the two circles are now in the NMW.

Pennant’s description of these two stone circles in 1783 shows they must be embanked stone circles as he mentions that both had large upright stones and a stone bank. The smaller circle surrounded a shallow depression which can be regarded as a grave. Nearby was a scatter of beaker sherds in a fire pit. The “druids circle” Penmaenmawr, Caernarvonshire may be regarded as the type site for this kind of monument.

Not impressive as a field monument any more. Partially excavated by Crawford who found stone holes that represent those standing in Pennant’s time. Recommended for Scheduling to protect any remaining archaeological deposits. Area of ridge and furrow to the east also noted.

The entire area has been ploughed at some point, perhaps immediately before the fields were enclosed and improved. However this C19th cultivation largely avoided the interior of the circles, indicating that these may have quite good preservation.

Southern circle

The larger circle appears to consist of primarily an outer ditch enclosing a slight bank that formerly incorporated a large number of stones. Results from the S side of the circle suggests that other elements are present, perhaps an inner stony bank and a second, wider, outer ditch. Both circles have suggestions of at least two phases of construction.

58m in diameter overall with a bank, where discernable, 4 -7.5 m wide which contains a few standing stones situated on a gentle west facing slope.

A very large monument which must be put in the henge class. Not in a prominent or distinctive position but on the hillslope is visible from the S and W, particularly from Carneddau Hengwm and Pen Dinas. A group of clearance stones close by at SW must be remains of the circle, these consist of about 16 large stones c. 1.2m x 1m and 6 smaller stones c. 1m x 0.8m The largest stone is about 2m x 1.2m.

Northern circle

The smaller circle consists of a simple ditch with possible low banks on both the inside and outside. A circle of anomalies indicates the presence of internal features, perhaps a circle of pits or stone holes.

39m in diameter with a bank 2.5m wide the remains of a ditch 1.5m wide.

Remains only as a very low grassy earthwork with only tops of 5 recumbent stones showing.

Details of Barrow on Pastscape

(SY 72788909) Sandy Barrow (NR) (1) This mound has the appearance of a bell barrow. It is overgrown including the berm which is 5.0m wide, is 24.0m. Height of mound about 2.7m high. Cut away on the west side by a road. (2) Sandy Barrow, bowl barrow (SY 72788909). On level site above 200 ft. Diam about 85 ft, ht about 9 ft. Cut on west by lane and densely overgrown. (3,4)
‘Sandy Barrow’, name unconfirmed, is generally as described by Auth 3. The diameter is 26.0m and height about 2.7m. It is mutilated and spread on the south.
Published survey (1:2500) revised. (5)

Details of Barrows on Pastscape

(Centred SY 790842) Five Marys (Tumuli) (NR) (seven shown) (1)
A group of barrows known as the Five Marys and shown as ‘Five Meers’ (boundary marks) on Taylor’s Map of Dorset 1765. (See Concordance card for individual barrows and details). Two of the barrows were excavated under the direction of the exiled Duchess of Berri who resided at Lulworth Castle after the dethronement of Charles X of France (in 1830). In one barrow, a deep chalk-cut grave contained two adult inhumations (male and female in a ‘sitting’ (contracted) position with stag antlers placed on each shoulder of both burials. In the other barrow were the remains of a similar inhumation (male) with stag antlers overlying each shoulder, also contained within a chalk-cut grave (2,3,6).
An Abercromby Type 4 Deverel Group 2 urn containing cremated bone was also found. Now in Dorchester Museum (4). RCHM suggest that ‘A’ and ‘C’ (see Concordance) were the two barrows excavated. (2-6) See Concordance card. (7)

The Five Marys (name not confirmed) – a group of barrows centred SY 79038420.
‘A’ SY 78958421. Bowl barrow, damaged by modern banks with traces of a ditch visible on the north-east. Diameter of mound 24.0m. height 3.2m., with ditch 5.0m. wide where visible.
‘B’ SY 79008421. Bell barrow with overall diameter of 30.0m., and height 3.3m. Ditch. 4.0m. wide, is visible on all except south side. Berm 1.0m. wide.
‘C’ SY 79038421. Bell barrow: diameter 18.0m. and height 3.0m., with a berm 1.0m. wide. There are faint and unsurveyable traces of a ditch.
‘D’ SY 79068420. Bowl barrow: diameter 17.0m. and height 1.6m., with a central excavation hollow 9.0m. in diameter. Faint and unsurveyable traces of a ditch.
‘E’ No visible remains.
‘F’ SY 79108420. Barrow with a possible berm visible on west side only which may be mutilation; on all other sides resembles a bowl. Diameter overall 26.0m., height 2.2m., with a ditch 4.5m. wide visible on all sides except the south.
‘G’ SY 79058420. A possible barrow. An irregular-shaped mound out of line with the other barrows in this group; very mutilated, with excavation hollow. Diameter 14.0m., height 1.3m. No visible ditch.
The probable pond barrow at SY 79008421 was not found.
Re-surveyed at 1:2500 on MSD. (8)