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| Knowlton Rings
is one of the most significant late Neolithic sites in the UK. It
is made up of a complex system of rings and barrows. Although
extensively damaged by ploughing there is still much to see. At the
very heart of the Centre Circle stands the ruin of a church probably established
in Saxon times.
Knowlton Rings are located at the side of the Cranborne to Wimborne Minister Road (B3078) just north of the Horton Inn. The site includes four enclosures, three of which are the normal henge type and represent ritual or ceremonial centres of the late Neolithic period. Structurally they are similar to the Sanctuary Ring at Avebury. The religious importance of the site is emphasised by the high concentration of barrows in the vicinity. |
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| The
South Circle (refer to the map above) was originally about 750 feet across,
surrounded by an outer bank (35 feet wide by 6 feet high), a berm (12 feet
wide) and an inner ditch (50 feet wide by 5 feet deep). It
has been mostly destroyed by ploughing and the imposition of farm
buildings.
The Centre Circle is the best preserved of the enclosures probably due to respect for the ruined church at its centre. It is roughly rectangular (about 350 feet by 310 feet) with an outer bank (35 feet wide by 6 feet high) and an inner ditch (35 feet wide by 4 feet deep). I have shown it as a circle because I understand that this was its original shape. The eastern entrance is thought to be the only original one. The North Circle is mostly flattened by ploughing. It was originally horseshoe shaped (about 310 feet by 260 feet) with a wide entrance (the "mouth" of the horseshoe) on the SE side. The "Old Churchyard" enclosure is also mostly flattened by ploughing. It is thought to have had an entrance on its south side. Finally, one enclosure is only visible in aerial photographs. It was originally an approximately rectangular structure (80 feet by 60 feet) with an entrance at its eastern corner. It is surrounded by 15 barrows with which it is thought to be associated. It is shown in the top left-hand corner of the above map (marked "A"). The church in Centre Circle, officially known as Knowlton church, has been derelict for about 200 years. Its chancel and nave are 12th century; its north chapel, west tower and probably south porch, are 15th century. Records show that it was in use in 1550, but was unfrequented by the mid 17th century. In 1659 an attempt was made to demolish it, but the churchwardens were prevented from doing so. There was a revival of attendance about 1730 when it is thought that the north aisle was added. In the 18th century the roof collapsed and it was thereafter abandoned. One of the mysteries connected with Knowlton church is the fate of its parishioners. It is thought that they were drawn from the hamlets of Knowlton and Brockington. Both are long deserted and today only their foundations are seen (Knowlton at approximately "B" above and Brockington at "C"). Brockington lives on only as the name of a nearby farm. What caused the populations of these two hamlets to leave their homes is not known for certain and probably never will be. In July, 1958 Mr. D.R. Dorrington of Downton, Salisbury unearthed some skeletons whilst pipe laying in the vicinity of the great barrow. Subsequent investigations revealed three burial sites containing the remains of some 16 bodies. One site, well away from the Great Barrow, was completely excavated. It was found to contain the skeletons of a man, a child and possibly a woman. Miss Rosemary Powers of the British Museum dated the burial to the Christian Saxon period. This fitted in with the lack of grave goods and the orientation of the bodies on an East-West alignment with their arms crossed upon their chests. At Knowlton Rings Christian and Pagan England lie side by side in an uneasy and eerie truce. Copyright Notice Further Reading
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