More information : There is a small oval camp at ST 677458, in a field
called "Big Dinies".
An exploratory section, in 1961, revealed a silted V-shaped
ditch 7 ft. deep and cutting into bed-rock. Beneath the bank was
a partially silted up U-shaped ditch.
Charcoal fragments were scattered throughout the silt of both
ditches, and Mendip-type flint tools were taken from near the
top of a trial hole dug in the centre of the camp. There were no
other signs of occupation. The site is on a slope with a good
view eastward but is otherwise defensively poor. (See Air
Photos. R.A.F. 3G/TUD/UK/15/24/Jan. 1946/5271-2). (1)
The enclosure is at ST 67674583 in a sheltered situation on a
slight N. slope. It is near a valley floor and Miss Overend
says that the rock cut part of the ditch was only a foot deep,
the other 6 ft. consisting of overlying hillwash soil. The
entrance is at the E. end, and is a simple gap and causeway.
The W. half of the enclosure has been levelled and may be a
habitation or occupation site. The purpose and date of the
earthwork is obscure. It is within the boundry of the medieval
Selwood Forest but there is no comparable earthwork in the
area. No precise definition of the "Mendip flint tools" could be
obtained and these seem to be chance flakes and a core unlikely
to be associated with the earthwork. It could be a homestead or
cattle enclosure but fuller excavation is necessary for
classification.
Surveyed at 1/2,500. (2)
Dinies Camp, Downhead, taken to be probably Iron Age and
compared to Kingsdown Camp (ST 75 SW 4). (3)
|