EDO675 - Bagwood, Bere Regis; excavation 1962 to 1966

Excavations by Mr G Toms between 1962 and 1966 revealed traces of an occupation floor associated with a beam slot. Clay roof tiles, pieces of flint and chalk with mortar adhering, sandstone, and daub were found. Other material found included fragments of Kimmeridge shale thought to be from incised tablets or panels, worked bones used for weaving, and lots of iron slag and clinker. Finds suggested a date of the mid- or late second century for this occupation, which overlay an earlier 2nd-century pit. A number of isolated post holes, gullies and several pits were found, one of the latter refilled in the late 1st century; it was thought possibly these had been dug for road metalling. Toms also found a well cut into the chalk. The well was 3½ feet in diameter and at least 70 feet deep, and objects excavated from its filling included six coins, pottery, daub with wattle and plank impressions, a wide range of animal remains including bird, rodent and fish bones, and many objects including a Purbeck stone mortar, an ox goad and a bill-hook.