More information : (Centred SY 644956) Settlement (NR). (1)
A settlement on Grimstone Down consisting of traces of Celtic
fields covering more than 100 acres. Towards the centre of the
area, the fields become more clearly defined and between the
field banks several hollowed tracks converge on a series of
smaller enclosures; these show no traces of dwellings but probably
represent the position of the main settlement (see plan). To the
east of the dyke (SY 69 NW 39) are further remains of a Celtic
field system extending some distance to the south. (2)
The excavation for a reservoir on Grimstone Down in 1950 at
SY 64629530 revealed that the earthworks were of lynchet
construction rather than the remains of deliberately constructed
banks. The only internal feature observed was a small shallow
pit (or trench?) near the centre of the east face of the
excavation, which contained pottery sherds. The majority of
sherds, however, were found in the excavation spoil and appeared
to be all of Iron Age 'C' type with the exception of a few Iron
Age 'A' and possibly 'B' sherds. About 40 yds from the south-east
corner of the reservoir, the pumping-main trench sectioned
what appeared to be an ancient trackway from the settlement,
running a few yards west of, and parallel to the modern trace
to Jackman's Cross. (3)
SY 64719552. Late Romano-British pottery was found during
1969-70 in material brought to the surface of a trench dug for
repairing the water-main on Grimstone Down. The trench revealed
at one point, a layer of flint which coincided with field banks,
still intact to the north and south. Three hundred sherds of
Romano-British coarse ware, two sherds of New Forest ware,
twenty-one nails and a small fragment of roof-tile were found
embedded in the surface of the flint layer. No evidence of earlier
occupation was found below the layer and it was suggested that
the flint represented the scattering of an earlier field bank in
the 4th century by Romano-British occupation. (4)
Centred SY 646955. As described. In the area are two enclosures
and possibly part of others consisting of low banks without
ditches, and converging field ways. An enclosure at SY 64629534
has been destroyed by the construction of a reservoir.
Iron Age/Romano-British type field systems are visible in the
following areas:
At SY 659959; SY 645950 and SY 655952 are pronounced lynchets
and field banks forming rectilinear fields. At SY 663955 low,
isolated contour following lynchets occur. Pronounced lynchets
and field banks forming rectilinear fields with indications of
superimposed cultivation of unknown date are visible at
SY 652957. Exceptionally well preserved lynchets and low field
banks forming rectilinear fields with a field way on the west
and south sides also occur at SY 645957. Low lynchets and field
banks at SY 642962 and SY 658961 are also visible. (5)
The only available air photograph cover shows the settlement
area and northern part of the well defined 'Celtic' field
system around SY 645960. (6)
The field system on top of Grimstone Down remains in good
condition (see plan). The turf covered flint banks average
0.6m. high and 3.0m. wide with the trackways up to 1.3m. deep
in Grimstone Down Plantation (SY 648954). To the north and
north-east there are only scant remains (see SY 69 NE 6) while
on Stratton Down to the east at SY 654954 lynchets are visible
to a height of 1.3m. and are clear on APs (a). On the south-east
and south the arable fields show little of the early field system.
(For barrows see SY 69 NW 43).
Revised at 1:2500 on MSD. (7)
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