Figheldean Down prehistoric landscape

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. Coherent and extensive complexes of prehistoric/Romano-British land boundaries are rare nationally. The field systems, enclosures and boundaries of Figheldean Down are considered to comprise one of the most important and best preserved fossil prehistoric/Romano-British landscapes in southern Britain and as such the Figheldean monument provides important evidence for the character and development of downland agricultural practise. In addition, the monument also includes several prehistoric funerary monuments considered to be of national importance in their own right.

Details

A prehistoric landscape of related field systems, linear earthworks, enclosures and barrows on Figheldean Down. The area is part of an extensive landscape that survives well despite being situated on gentle slopes suitable for cultivation. The monument includes:- 1 - An extensive field system on Figheldean Down, of Iron age/Romano-British origin. Part of the system has been destroyed, but other areas remain extant and in good condition. Late Bronze Age, Iron Age and Romano-British pottery has been found. 2 - A boundary feature seen as a ditch without banks c.2m wide and 0.5m deep. 3 - A flat topped bowl barrow c.30m in diameter. (SU18914930) 4 - A flat topped, ditched bowl barrow c.50m overall diameter. The ditch connects with the bank of an adjoining field system. There is some damage due to ploughing and military activity. (SU20704875) 5 - A small, badly damaged, ditched bowl barrow c.21m overall diameter. This barrow is now badly damaged by the military (SU20734873) 6 - Part of a boundary earthwork now extant north west of Ablington Furze although originally longer. 7 - A ditch 4m wide, running north-east/south-west across the field systems on Figheldean Down. 8 - A low saucer or pond barrow c.30m diameter. It has been damaged by cattle and vehicle tracks. 9 - An enclosure on a west facing slope with an entrance in the west. It has a diameter of 24m and appears to be overlying a field system. (SU19354856) 10 - An extensive field system covering most of the eastern side of Figheldean Down. The lynchets are low, probably due to past ploughing but still well preserved. The area is now in permanent grassland. 11 - A boundary ditch c.6m wide, forming the south, east and west sides of a large land division. It is probably of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age date. There is some vehicle damage. (SU18024971) 12 - A roughly square earthwork enclosure with sides c.50m and a break or entrance in the north-west corner. The bank and the external ditch are indistinct and damaged. The orientation is different to that of the surrounding fields. (SU18464905) 13 - A section of linear ditch c.5m wide. There is a bank to the east for a short distance. It probably originally enclosed or delineated part of an Iron Age/Romano-British field system. (SU18614936) 14 - A long section of ditch, associated with other linear earthworks in the same area. Probably of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age date, it is associated with field systems. 15 - A field system to the north-west of Figheldean Down, associated with and enclosed by linear features. The fields are square and cohesive and although ploughed in the past, lynchets survive up to 1m high. 16 - A boundary ditch c.5m wide, connected to the south side of a series of ditches forming a large land division. There is vehicle, cattle and plough damage and only the central portion is in good condition. 17 - An extensive field system of Figheldean Down, of Iron age/Romano-British origin. Part of the system has been destroyed, but other areas remain extant and in good condition. Late Bronze Age, Iron Age and Romano-British pottery has been found. 18 - A boundary feature seen as a ditch without banks c.2m wide and 0.5m deep. 19 - A bowl barrow c.16m overall diameter with traces of a ditch (SU18844910).

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

10140

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Wiltshire Library & Museum Service, (1987)
Trust for Wessex Archaeology, (1987)

End of official list entry

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