What is a Deserted Medieval Village (DMV)?
A deserted medieval village or DMV is a ghost settlement, an abandoned location where partially erected houses and crop marks remain but inhabitants have long moved on to other places. England ranks number one in the world for its number of DMVs; at last count, it was estimated that over 3,500 DMV were spread around the country.
A deserted medieval village or DMV is a ghost settlement, an abandoned location where partially erected houses and crop marks remain but inhabitants have long moved on to other places. England ranks number one in the world for its number of DMVs; at last count, it was estimated that over 3,500 DMV were spread around the country. The term DMV may be misleading, as not all deserted villages date from medieval times. Some settlements were abandoned as late as 1950, while others have been deserted since the 5th century. One of the world’s most famous DMV is Wharram Percy in Yorkshire, England. Wharram Percy was the focus of an extensive archaeological investigation that spanned over forty years. Only the ruins of a church are clearly visible aboveground, although the surrounding landscape clearly shows the layout of the original village.
