Information for record number MWA6764:
Cropmark Complex 400m E of Pillerton Hersey

Summary A group of cropmarks that are visible on aerial photographs. They represent the remains of a polygonal enclosure, two circular enclosures and linear features. Some of the linear features may represent ridge and furrow cultivation. The site is located 400m east of Pillerton Hersey.
What Is It?  
Type: Polygonal Enclosure, Circular Enclosure, Linear Feature, Ridge And Furrow
Period: Unknown
Where Is It?  
Parish: Pillerton Hersey
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 30 48
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1-
3 Various aerial photographs.
4 A complex of cropmark features has been identified from air photographs. This comprises a large polygonal cropmark enclosure, two conjoined circular cropmark enclosures and several linear features some of which represent ploughed-out ridge and furrow.
5 Two possible Bronze Age or Iron Age ditched enclosures are visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs taken in 1990 and were mapped as part of the SE Warwickshire and Cotswolds HLS NMP project. The enclosures are located to the east of Broadclose, Pillerton Hersey at SP 30489 48803. One is a possible large partial polygonal enclosure centred at SP 30514 48760 defined by a narrow linear ditch, the southeastern side is not visible. The other is an small irregular shaped enclosure centred at SP 30440 48857. The cropmark features are quite faint, as the overlying medieval ridge and furrow (Monument Number: 1547387) is also visible as cropmarks and masks the underlying archaeology. The polygonal enclosure was more clearly visible on aerial photographs available in the Warwickshire HER and showed the southeastern side of the enclosure. Two probable circular or curvilinear enclosures, located at SP 30509 48712 on the western side of the enclosure, were also visible and mapped as part of the above project.
 
Sources
Source No: 3
Source Type: Aerial Photograph
Title: SP4571
Author/originator: Hartley R F
Date: 1991
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: SP4571 W
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Aerial Photograph
Title: SP1158
Author/originator: Palmer N J
Date: 1990
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: SP1158 A, B
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Aerial Photograph
Title: SP0859
Author/originator: Hodgson J C
Date: 1990
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: SP0859 AT, AX-AZ, BA
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Aerial Photograph
Title: Aerial Photograph
Author/originator:
Date: 1954
Page Number: 115-9
Volume/Sheet: 1580, 542/37
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Unpublished Document
Author/originator: Hodgson J C
Date: 1993
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
back to top

Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique Cropmark Cropmarks appear as light and dark marks in growing and ripening crops. These marks relate to differences in the soil below. For example, parched lines of grass may indicate stone walls. Crops that grow over stone features often ripen more quickly and are shorter than the surrounding crop. This is because there is less moisture in the soil where the wall lies.

more -> 		back
technique Aerial Photograph Aerial photographs are taken during an aerial survey, which involves looking at the ground from above. It is usually easier to see cropmarks and earthworks when they are viewed from above. Aerial photographs help archaeologists to record what they see and to identify new sites. There are two kinds of aerial photographs; oblique and vertical. back
period Bronze Age About 2500 BC to 700 BC

The Bronze Age comes after the Neolithic period and before the Iron Age.

The day to day life of people in the Bronze Age probably changed little from how their ancestors had lived during the Neolithic period. They still lived in farmsteads, growing crops and rearing animals.

During the Bronze Age people discovered how to use bronze, an alloy of tin and copper (hence the name that has given to this era). They used it to make their tools and other objects, although they continued to use flint and a range of organic materials as well. A range of bronze axes, palstaves and spears has been found in Warwickshire.
more -> 		back
period Iron Age About 800 BC to 43 AD

The Iron Age comes after the Bronze Age and before the Roman period. It is a time when people developed the skills and knowledge to work and use iron, hence the name ‘Iron Age’ which is given to this period. Iron is a much tougher and more durable metal than bronze but it also requires more skill to make objects from it. People continued to use bronze during this period.
more -> 		back
period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
more -> 		back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument CIRCULAR ENCLOSURE * A circular shaped area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or similar barrier. back
monument CURVILINEAR ENCLOSURE * A monument consisting of an area of land enclosed by a ditch, bank, wall, palisade or similar barrier, where the boundary follows an irregular curving course. back
monument RIDGE AND FURROW * A series of long, raised ridges separated by ditches used to prepare the ground for arable cultivation. This was a technique, characteristic of the medieval period. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument POLYGONAL ENCLOSURE * An area of land, roughly shaped like a polygon and enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or similar barrier. back
monument DITCHED ENCLOSURE * An area of land enclosed by one or several boundary ditches. Double index with a term to indicate the shape of the enclosure where known. back
monument LINEAR FEATURE * A length of straight, curved or angled earthwork or cropmark of uncertain date or function. back
monument ENCLOSURE * An area of land enclosed by a boundary ditch, bank, wall, palisade or other similar barrier. Use specific type where known. back
monument DITCH * A long and narrow hollow or trench dug in the ground, often used to carry water though it may be dry for much of the year. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record