Morgan's Hill Enclosure
Description
The earthwork is a square, aligned west–east, with sides of length 180 metres (590 ft) enclosing an area of about 3.25 hectares (8.0 acres)), with a bank of height up to 0.6 metres (2 ft 0 in) and width about 3 metres (9.8 ft). Outside the bank is a ditch of width about 4 metres (13 ft) and depth up to 1 metre (3 ft 3 in). There are three entrances around the rectangle, but it is not known if these are original.
There was some excavation in 1909: some medieval pottery was found at the surface, but nothing was found that could clearly relate to its original construction.
Purpose
Enclosures like this are considered to show evidence of agricultural practices, from the Neolithic period to the Romano-British period; they were stock pens or protected areas for crops. Several comparable enclosures are known in the area of the Avebury prehistoric complex, about 4 miles (6.4 km) to the east, which was in use in the Neolithic period and early Bronze Age.
See also
References
- ^ Historic England. "Square earthwork enclosure 450m north west of Baltic Farm on Morgan's Hill (1014032)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 13 September 2020.