A celebration of the Dorset Cursus, a Neolithic monument spanning across 10 km of Cranborne Chase.
The extraordinary Dorset Cursus runs from Martin Down to Thickthorn Down. It’s over three times as long as the Greater Stonehenge Cursus, making it a notable example of this class of linear earthworks.
About the Cursus
The Cursus consisted of a pair of parallel banks (1.5 m tall) running about 82 m apart, with external ditches 1.5 m deep and 2 m wide and would have stood out in the landscape for miles around. The relationship between the Cursus and the alignment of some of the surrounding earthen long barrows suggests that they had a common ritual significance to the Neolithic people.
Most of the earthworks have long since been destroyed and its course is normally only visible as soil marks when conditions are favourable. Few people, other than specialists, know about the Dorset Cursus and its significance.
Project aims
- To illustrate the scale of the original earthworks and to celebrate this amazing structure.
- To hold an event to reflect the ceremonial and ritual use of the Dorset Cursus landscape.
- To train volunteers to help with running the event, while also increasing their own understanding of the landscape.
Project achievements
- The main event was held over a week during the summer of 2024, with a specially commissioned film of a dance piece, expert talks, an exhibition, storytelling, and Neolithic arts and crafts workshops and demonstrations.
- 100 people attended talks about the known history and archaeology of the Dorset Cursus. Speakers included: Martin Green (farmer, landowner and archaeologist), Mike Gill (Avon Archaeological Society), David Abram (writer and photographer) and Alyson Tanner (Teffont Archaeology project)
- Rebecca Bennett (Pushing the Sensors) trained hundreds of volunteers to interpret LiDAR data and help identify thousands of features. A map of the Cursus has been created as a result.
- 85 people booked on a day of hands-on Neolithic-inspired arts and crafts, working with different craftspeople and supported by volunteers. Activities included: grinding corn, flint knapping demonstrations, spinning and weaving, earth pigment painting, willow weaving and making cordage.
- Martin Green took a total of 220 people on nine tours of the archaeological sites at Down Farm, including the excavated sections of the Dorset Cursus, barrows and a deep sink hole. He also gave guided tours of his private museum of artefacts – a fascinating collection of ancient fossils, bones, worked flints, pottery, coins and jewellery.
- Martin Green also worked with resident artist Jo Beal to share knowledge and inspiration with school pupils and other visitors.