Enclosure - large enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a slight rise, in gently undulating pasture and tillage, with good views in all directions. Depicted on 1837 OS 6-inch map as a large subcircular-shaped enclosure(approx. dims. 88m NE-SW; 92m NW-SE). Monument described in 1970 as a substantial roughly circular shaped area (approx. diam. 80m) enclosed by an earthen bank, fosse and an outer bank. The steep inner bank is present from E-S-W-N and is almost reduced to a scarp. It has been modified to form part of a modern field fence from W-N and has been quarried from NE-E. There are traces of a shallow intervening fosse from E-NW. There is a steep-sided outer bank from E-S-SW. A short portion of low bank extends across the terminus of the fosse and outer bank at E. There is a probable entrance gap (Wth at top 3.2m; basal Wth 2m) and a corresponding causeway (Wth at top 4.3m; overall Wth 5m; H 0.55m) at WSW. The interior has a gentle S-facing slope and a farm road extends ENE-WSW across it. Perimeter described in 1972 as having been levelled from W-NW and a large rectangular silage pit has been cut into the monument at NW. A modern deposit of earth and stone has been spread across the interior along the SE side of the pit. Extant monument clearly visible on oblique aerial photographs taken 15/07/1966 (CUCAP APE026/027). Partially levelled monument is visible today as a substantial suboval-shaped earthwork on Digital Globe aerial photography.

Compiled by: Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien

Date of upload: 06 June 2019

References

CUCAP - Cambridge University Collection of Aerial Photographs. Unit for Landscape Modelling, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge. See:https://www.cambridgeairphotos.com