Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Priddy Circle Number 4
Hob Uid: 1041422
Location : Somerset Mendip Priddy
Grid Ref : ST5421053550
Summary : A circular earthwork enclosure, one of the four so-called Priddy Circles (see ST 55 SW 4). This, the northernmost of the group, is separated from the remainder by a gap of some 350 metres, through which passes the Roman road RR45b (Charterhouse to Old Sarum). Only some two-thirds of the earthwork circuit is present, and boreholing in 1956-9 suggested that the remaining third - the side facing west - was never enclosed (ie the enclosure was left unfinished). It has been speculated that abandonment may have been related to the extensive evidence for subsidence in the vicinity (see ST 55 SW 4 for details). If complete, the enclosure would have had a projected diameter of up to 190 metres. Within the area of the projected enclosure are a group of mounds interpreted as barrows (see ST 55 SW 6 for details). No dating evidence has ever been recovered from the Priddy Circles. This and the external ditches notwithstanding, they are generally assumed to represent henges or similar monuments.
More information : Priddy Circle no. 4. ST 54215355. Henge. (1) The Priddy Circles (see ST 55 SW 4) were included in the 1961 OS 6" map and resurveyed by the Ordnance Survey in 1966. See AO/LP/63/207 -plan of three of the circles. Scheduled. Published plan. (1:2500) correct. The tumuli within circle no. 4 is described in ST 55 SW 6. (2-5) Priddy Circle no. 4. ST 542 535. Sub-circular earthwork enclosure, not traceable in the SW sector. Bank inside ditch. Borings in the SW sector suggest that the circle was not completed. Internal diameter c 168m; external diameter c 192m. Comment: insufficient information available but unlikely to belong to the henge class. (6)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : Ordnance Survey 6" (Provisional) 1961
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Source Number : 2
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Source details : Taylor, C and EK Tratman. The priddy Circles. Preliminary Report.
Page(s) : Jul-17
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Vol(s) : 8, 1961

Source Number : 3
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Source details :
Page(s) : 64
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Vol(s) : 9, 1961

Source Number : 4
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Source details : Ministry of Works. 1961. Ancient Monuments in England and Wales
Page(s) : 81
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 J Palmer 17/06/1966
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Source Number : 5a
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Source details : Mendip Barrows Mss (LV Grinsell)
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : Site 170
Page(s) : 268
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Vol(s) : 175

Source Number : 7
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Source details : English Heritage Schedule Entry 31/01/1997
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : Tratman, EK. The Priddy Circles, Mendip, SOmerset. Henge Monuments.
Page(s) : 97-125
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Vol(s) : 11, 1965

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Late Neolithic
Display Date : Late Neolithic
Monument End Date : -2200
Monument Start Date : -2900
Monument Type : Henge
Evidence : Earthwork

Monument Period Name : Uncertain
Display Date :
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Circular Enclosure
Evidence : Earthwork

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : SO 118
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 29041
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : ST 55 SW 127
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Historic England Research Records

Priddy Circle Number 4