More information : [SZ 2934 9955 - SU 2938 0002] Earthworks [T.I.] (1) The earthwork appears to be ancient, presumably mediaeval,the bank is broad and about 3 ft. high, its ditches look comparatively sharp and fresh at the south end, perhaps due to modern re-cutting. (2) [SZ 2934 9955 - SU 2938 0002 SU 2940 0004] [SU 2940 0009 - SU 2950 0018 SU 2964 0018] [SZ 2906 2953 - SZ 2933 9954] The earthwork is non-defensive and may have constituted a boundary. (3-5) [SZ 2906 9853 - SU 2939 0002] The main earthwork originates, 'A' on level ground at the head of a re-entrant valley. It continues, along a level sinuous course avoiding another re-entrant, as a single bank-with western ditch,broken in places by tracks, to 'B' where it begins to descend a slope. Descending the slope a wide series of hollow-ways spring up parallel to it on either side and at 'C' a ditch appears on the eastern side of the bank. This ditch was probably originated by rain-wash or by a hollow-way. At 'D' the earthwork levels out, is mutilated by the modern road and continues across flat low-lying ground, as a broad flat-topped bank with side ditches to 'E' where it is cut by the railway. It is not possible to say whether both ditches are original as - especially in the southern half of this section - they are so well defined that they must have been recut, for drainage purposes, comparatively recently: but the western ditch is stronger throughout. From 'F' to 'G' the western ditch widens out, forming a trough with a slight outer bank. It is not possible to trace the bank beyond the railway but it probably ended in the marshy ground immediately across the line. The earthwork J-K [2952 0016 - 2963 0017], is bivallate and in no way comparable to it. [SZ 2890 9846 - SZ 2909 9866] At 'L' the main earthwork is joined by another of identical profile which, so far as can be judged by surface examination, appears to be contemporary. It is much mutilated and cut about by tracks but can be traced to 'M' From 'N' - 'P' there is a slight lip-bank to the ditch. It seems possible that this bank and ditch continued down to the stream, at 'Q' [SZ 2850 9826] but there is no evidence for this, other than a hedge bank, R-S on line and the alignment of a road and the New Forest boundary parallel to it. The general appearance and topographical characteristics of these earthworks (especially South of 'D') invite comparison with those earthworks which, Dr. Crawford has suggested may have formed part of Cerdic's "First Enclave," A.D. 485-508[Linear 20] [See 25" cut-out, Archive No. 2059] (6) The part J-K from SU 2953 0016 to SU 2964 0017, has been surveyed. It is completely different in character from the other sections and would seem to be unassociated with them. It consists of a ditch apparently deepened by traffic wear with a slight bank on each side. It is too slight for any defensive purpose and would seem to be of agricultural origin. It may possibly be nothing more than a hollow way, but this seems unlikely as none of the other hollow ways in the immediate vicinity have any side banks. (7) No change. D-E resurveyed at 1/2500,A-D and M-L surveyed at 1/2500, J-K survey of 1.12.61. still correct. (8)
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