More information : (SU 135713) An area immediately north of the Delling
is free of, though completely surrounded by 'Celtic' fields. It is
covered by sarsens and approached by a track (a branch of SU 17
SW 49). It seems to be either a settlement or a small area of
permanent pasture. (1-2)
The area immediately N.of the Delling falls within the W.
periphery of a 'Celtic' field system.
However, centred at SU 13407140 (NW of the Delling) on the gentle
SW facing slope of Fyfield Down is an area of approximately 7.5
acres (3ha) which is profusely littered with earthfast sarsens
of varying sizes and shapes. This uncleared and obviously
uncultivated extent of ground, is in striking contrast to the
surrounding 'Celtic' field system on the N.and E. and the probable
post medieval enclosure to the W. There is no apparent sign of
settlement within the area due it would appear to the dense
Sarsen distribution.
It seems therefore, most likely to represent a zone of pasturage
and/or a 'land reserve' that had not been exploited during the
Iron Age/Romano British and ensuing occupation periods.
A track, traversing the western side of the area appears to a
relatively modern feature; its possible association with the linear
feature SU 17 SW 49 cannot be verified. (3)
This area was mapped at 1:10,000 from APs by the Fyfield Down and Overton Down Mapping Project. The area centred on SU 13407140 lies well within the field system SU 17 SW 26. The area described by Bowen and Fowler at SU 13557135 (see authority 1) appears to be free of field system banks; the sarcens were not recorded by the AP survey. (4) |