Reasons for Designation
The most complete and extensive survival of chalk downland
archaeological remains in central southern England occurs on
Salisbury Plain, particularly in those areas lying within the
Salisbury Plain Training Area. These remains represent one of the
few extant archaeological "landscapes" in Britain and are
considered to be of special significance because they differ in
character from those in other areas with comparable levels of
preservation. Individual sites on Salisbury Plain are seen as
being additionally important because the evidence of their direct
association with each other survives so well. Romano-British
villages surviving as earthworks are rare nationally, as are
extensive, well preserved, Romano-Celtic field systems. The
association of a Roman village surviving as impressive
earthworks, extensive contemporary field systems and several major
prehistoric land boundaries provides significant evidence for the
nature of Romano-British downland settlement and agricultural
practises. Additionally the monument includes several
prehistoric funerary monuments considered to be of national
importance in their own right.
Details
An area of well preserved, prehistoric and Romano-British landscape
including an unexcavated settlement, field systems and associated
contemporary and non-contemporary features.
1 - A settlement site consisting of a street with associated house platforms.
There is no recorded excavation but pottery and a brooch have been found.
Recent military activity has caused some damage. (ST996481)
2 - A mound first described as a long barrow with the southern end levelled.
Re-evaluation concluded that confusion arose in early records and the
mound is the `nonsepulchral' round mound described by Colt Hoare. (ST99604806)
3 - A ditched bowl barrow, overall diameter is c.24m. Little trace of the
ditch now survives and the mound has been damaged by mammals and the military.
(SU00174728)
4 - A long barrow called "Kill barrow", c.52m long. This barrow has been
partially excavated in the 19th century and is also damaged by military
activity. (SU00014789)
5 - A field system of Celtic type with lynchets between 1m - 2m high.
The area is grass covered with some scrub. There is some military damage.
6 - A boundary bank/ditch/bank feature leading to a settlement to the west.
The earthwork is associated with the surrounding fields and is an integral
part of the landscape.
7 - A boundary ditch running north-west/south-east across Chapperton Down and
associated with the field systems in the area.
8 - A celtic field system with poorly preserved banks. The area is grass
covered and is known to have been uncultivated in the 19th century.
9 - A slight circular mound located beside a tank track, it could be the
remains of an eroded barrow, but may be of military origin. There is no sign
of a ditch. (SU00414765)
10 - A series of holloways coming downland from Imber and Chitterne to
Tilshead and West Lavington.
11 - A boundary ditch to the south of Chapperton Down. It is under long grass
and difficult to distinguish.
12 - A field system surviving due to lack of cultivation in recent centuries.
13 - A set of three ponds, interpreted as Romano-British. They are unaffected
by weed and scrub growth and are only affected by minimal vehicle damage.
(SU003479)
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
10105
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
