Scheduled MonumentsEnglandPart of Dorset Cursus

Part of Dorset Cursus

England
List entry 1003222
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Part of Dorset Cursus is a Neolithic ceremonial earthwork located in Dorset, England, forming one of the longest cursuses in Britain. Constructed during the Early Neolithic period, approximately 3500 to 3000 BC, this monument consists of two parallel banks with external ditches extending across the landscape for several kilometres. The earthwork demonstrates the considerable communal labour and organisational capability of Neolithic communities, and likely served ceremonial or processional functions rather than defensive purposes. The surviving sections of the cursus remain visible as linear earthwork features in the Dorset landscape, constituting an important archaeological record of Neolithic monumental construction and territorial expression.

Part of Dorset Cursus is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1003222. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Part of Dorset Cursus?

Part of Dorset Cursus is a Neolithic ceremonial earthwork located in Dorset, England, forming one of the longest cursuses in Britain. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1003222.

Who is responsible for protecting Part of Dorset Cursus?

Part of Dorset Cursus is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1003222.

What other scheduled monuments are near Part of Dorset Cursus?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Group of henge monuments, an associated group of round barrows, a Saxon cemetery, and a Norman church at Knowlton (6.4 km), Round barrow cemetery south of New Barn Farm, associated with the Knowlton Circles (6.8 km), Bowl barrow 170m north east of the Horton Inn (7.7 km).

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