Hinton Ampner Historic Dew Pond

3D Model

During archaeological evaluations of areas destined for nature recovery work at Hinton Ampner volunteers have revealed a number of historic Dew Ponds.

Dew ponds were traditionally lined with clay often the clay has other materials added – such as straw laid beneath the clay as an insulative material and ash from fires added to it. The ash, it is said, is not palatable to earthworms – whose otherwise helpful burrowing is not good for water retention!

In terms of archaeology, dew ponds are generally impossible to date accurately. We know that they were used in the medieval period but, beyond that, it is very much a matter for debate as to whether dew ponds were a feature of prehistoric farming. Britain has had an agricultural economy since the Neolithic farming revolution 6000 years ago and alot of that activity was focused across chalk geology which is porous meaning any standing water quickly drains away so it would make sense to try and trap it where possible using something simialr to the Dew Pond.