MSO7700 - Enclosure south of Woodadvent Lane (Monument)

A large sub-rectangular enclosure of uncertain date is visible on aerial photographs as a cropmark. It possibly dates to the later Prehistoric period or Iron Age and represents the remains of an enclosed settlement or hillslope enclosure.

ST 04403808. Crop-mark of sub-rectangular enclosure. (Note field name 'Castle Hill' to east, MSO7701). [1] The 1947 air photographs show the enclosure clearly. It is sub-rectangular and approximately 100m long and 50m wide. The remains of an outer feature are just discernible on this photograph. [2] Since then the field has been regularly ploughed and an aerial photographic transcription of the site is being undertaken. [3,4] The enclosure described above can be seen clearly on aerial photographs from 1962. The cropmark is visible as three distinct areas of growth - two darker areas surrounding a lighter area. The lighter area appears to be retarded crop growth, suggesting the presence of a bank surrounded by a ditch on both sides. The lighter crop measures up to 12 metres wide, while the darker area is no more than 5 metres wide at its widest point. A break in the cropmark on the western side may represent a possible entranceway. The enclosure is most likely to be prehistoric in date, probably belonging to the Later Prehistoric period, or more specifically, the Iron Age. It could be the remains of an enclosed settlement or hillslope enclosure, and further survey is required. The area is regularly ploughed. [5] Cropmark of sub-rectangular enclosure in field called Castle Hill. [6] Shows in cropmarks and soil marks. Part of a second larger enclosure appears rather doubtfully to surround the NE end of it. [7] Cropmark location wrongly plotted by OSAD on 6" map. [8]