OS One-Inch Old Series / First Edition Map Viewer (Sheet 18)

Ordnance Survey One-Inch First Edition Old Map of Dorset: Old Series map of OS Old Series Map Sheet 18 (Dorchester / inland Dorset inferred).

Please note that the modern reference map on the split screen is intended as a guide only.

Old Series Map Index

 

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Landscape and Archaeological Assessment

Landscape Classification

This sheet represents a inland ridge-and-valley landscape, characterised by Dorset chalk/greensand uplands, Stour valley and Blackmore Vale.

Archaeological Landscape

The primary archaeological theme is Central Dorset hillfort, ridgeway and river crossing landscape. Enhanced prediction from Roman-road, ridgeway, hillfort/enclosure, villa/estate, road-convergence and river-crossing logic.

High Visibility Locations

Blandford Stour Crossing

Terrain Archaeology

The terrain is interpreted using hachures. Relief is represented by hachures, allowing inference of ridgeways, high points, spur ends, valley approaches and likely route/crossing logic.

Main Geographic Information

Direct image evidence shows sheet number 18 / N° XVIII and large Dorsetshire county lettering. Uploaded detail crop gives the Meridian of Black Down reference: latitude 50°41?14? and longitude 2°33?22? West. Bounds are reconstructed because engraved graticule labels are faint.

Main Landscape Features

Sheet 18 shows a mixed area of inland ridge-and-valley Dorset chalk/greensand uplands, Stour valley and Blackmore Vale . The map is useful for studying early 19th Century historic settlement patterns, Roman road alignments, early archaeological site indentification, how roads, old tracks, lanes and paths, villages, waterways and field systems related to the wider nineteenth-century landscape.

Main Geographic Features

Archaeological Predictions

Archaeological Hotspots

Blandford Stour Crossing is interpreted as a river crossing and market-town route node landscape. Dorset Downs Enclosure Belt is interpreted as a chalk hillfort/enclosure landscape landscape. Blackmore Vale Estate Belt is interpreted as a Roman villa/farmstead and route landscape landscape.

Historic Routes, Crossings and Connections

Stour Valley route corridor is interpreted as a Roman/medieval river-valley corridor. Historic crossing points where roads, trackways or routeways converge on significant water features are widely recognised as archaeological hotspots. Crossing points often acted as gateways within the historic landscape. Because movement was channelled through these locations, archaeological evidence may occur both at the crossing itself and along the routes leading towards it, forming broader zones of archaeological potential rather than isolated sites.Dorset Downs high-route corridor is interpreted as a prehistoric/Roman ridgeway candidate. Historic crossing points where roads, trackways or routeways converge on significant water features are widely recognised as archaeological hotspots. Crossing points often acted as gateways within the historic landscape. Because movement was channelled through these locations, archaeological evidence may occur both at the crossing itself and along the routes leading towards it, forming broader zones of archaeological potential rather than isolated sites.

Historic Gateways and Crossing Places

Blandford Stour Crossing is a major river crossing. Sturminster Newton Stour Crossing is a river crossing town.

Main Places