United Kingdom

Dorset Cursus

Neolithic cursus monument in Dorset, United Kingdom

Location

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Historical Context

About

The Dorset Cursus is a Neolithic cursus monument that spans across 10 km (6¼ miles) of the chalk downland of Cranborne Chase in east Dorset, United Kingdom. Its extreme length makes it a notable example of this class of linear earthwork; it is better interpreted as a pair of same-length cursus constructed end to end, with the more southerly cursus (the Gussage Cursus) pre-dating the northerly one (the Pentridge Cursus).

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

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Construction

c. 3300 BCE

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

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Defensive Structures

Ditches
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Burial and Funerary Structures

Long barrowsBarrow cemeteries
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Religious and Ritual Structures

Ceremonial Platforms
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Environmental and Natural Features

Landscaped Earthworks
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Transportation and Communication Structures

Roads
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Reference

Details

Country

United Kingdom

Coordinates

50.94° N, -1.98° E