Summary
A Late Neolithic Class I henge now plough levelled and only visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs. The henge was subject to surface collection, geophysical survey and excavation in 1980 as part of the Stonehenge Environs Project. An adjacent Early Neolithic external pit (MNA139479) was also identified and recorded.
Identification Images (0)
Monument Types
- PIT (Early Neolithic - 4000 BC to 3001 BC)
- HENGE (Late Neolithic - 3000 BC to 2351 BC)
Description
Late Neolithic Class I henge excavated 1980 by Richards. Broad oval ditch with causeway on NE. C14 2917-2615BC. Internal features dated by C14 3254-2911 BC. External early Neolithic pit (C14 dates 3980-3708 BC) approx 20m to NW of causeway (Wiltshire SMR). Totally flattened by ploughing, lies on almost level ground above 115m OD and within sight of Stonehenge. The site was noted from the air in the 1920s and thought to be a disc barrow but later photographs (CUAP NP 44-7, QF 90, 92) show it to be a Class I henge with an entrance on the NE. In plan the ditch is oval rather than circular, about 45m by 55m in overall diameter, with the entrance on the longer axis. Traces of an external bank are visible on an air photograph of 1934 (OS 'Durnford' 5674). The site appears never to have been recorded as a standing earthwork; probably it was levelled in medieval times or soon after. It lies within one of the former open-fields of West Amesbury, the Middle Field, a name first recorded in 1562. Traces of ridge-and-furrow impinging on the monument are visible on some air photographs (NMR SU 1341/4/156-8) (RCHM 1979, 13). (1-2)
The henge was subject to surface collection, geophysical survey and excavation in 1980 as part of the Stonehenge Environs Project. From the excavation the henge ditch was found to be 5m wide and segmented with both `U'- and `V'-shaped profiles. Early Neolithic to Middle Bronze pottery, animal bone and a human cremation were recovered. Partial excavation of the henge interior located a number of possible post hole or post-pit structures and many of the pits were found to pre-date the enclosure. Stakehole clusters were identifed both within and outside the henge. Further detailed information in the report. The geophysical survey clearly showed the plough levelled remains of the ditch and the adjacent positive anomaly (MNA139479), which has been further investigated. (3-4)
The henge was visible as a cropmark on aerial photographs and was mapped by both RCHME's Salisbury Plain Training Area NMP and EH's Stonehenge WHS Mapping Project. The henge was visible as a clear oval ditch 42m x 37m, with an entrance to the northeast. (5-6)
References
- SNA69372 - Report: Simon Crutchley. 2000. Salisbury Plain Training Area: A report for the National Mapping Programme. 94/2000. 219462.
- SNA69374 - Report: Simon Crutchley. 2002. Stonehenge World Heritage Site Mapping project: Management Report. 133/2002. 219462. [Mapped feature: #22716 ]
- SNA69409 - Collection: Wiltshire County Council. Wiltshire and Swindon Historic Environment Record (HER). MWI12498.
- SNA69430 - Geophysical Survey Report: Ancient Monuments Laboratory. 1988. Geophysical Survey at Coneybury Henge, Amesbury, Wiltshire, 1980.
- SZN3268 - Book: RCHME. 1979. Stonehenge and its Environs. Edinburgh at the University Press. pg.13.
- SZN3594 - Monograph: Julian Richards. 1990. The Stonehenge Environs Project. Report No.16. W2, pg.123-157.
Other Statuses and References
- HER/SMR Reference (External) (Wilts SMR): MWI12498 Legacy No.:SU14SW138
- National Monuments Record Reference: SU14SW14
- Pastscape Reference: 219462 Historic England Research Records
Associated Events
- ENA3373 - Field Survey, Geophysical surveys on Coneybury Henge (W2), 1980
- ENA3374 - Archaeological Intervention, Evaluation Excavation at Coneybury Henge (W2), 1980
- ENA3392 - Field Survey, Contour Survey across Coneybury Henge (W2), 1980
- ENA3393 - Field Survey, Field Walking survey over Coneybury Henge (W2), 1980
Associated Finds
None Recorded
Related Records
None Recorded