© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)
Parts of Dorset Cursus on Bottlebush Down is a Neolithic linear monument consisting of parallel banks and ditches that form part of the longer Dorset Cursus. Dating to the earlier Neolithic period, likely around 3500 to 3000 BC, this section extends across the downland landscape in a characteristic cursus formation. The monument comprises two parallel ditches with intervening banks, a layout typical of cursus monuments which may have served ceremonial or processional functions. The Bottlebush Down section represents an important survival of this substantial prehistoric earthwork, which originally stretched for several miles across the Dorset landscape, and demonstrates the significant effort invested by early farming communities in monumental construction.
Parts of Dorset Cursus on Bottlebush Down is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1002799. View the official record →
Parts of Dorset Cursus on Bottlebush Down is a Neolithic linear monument consisting of parallel banks and ditches that form part of the longer Dorset Cursus. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1002799.
Parts of Dorset Cursus on Bottlebush Down 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 1002799.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Round barrow cemetery south of New Barn Farm, associated with the Knowlton Circles (6.6 km), Bowl barrow 170m north east of the Horton Inn (7.5 km), Lengths of Roman road in Norwood Coppice and in The Rookery (7.5 km).
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Parts of Dorset Cursus on Bottlebush Down