Monument record MDO18291 - Middle Farm; prehistoric quarry 03361

A possible prehistoric quarry was found adjacent to the Middle Bronze Age enclosure and boundary ditch during the 1987 Middle Farm excavations by Wessex Archaeology in advance of construction of the Dorchester By-pass. It was a roughly linear feature comprised of a series of intercutting irregular shallow scoops. A single sherd of Bronze Age pottery was recovered from the fill.

A possible prehistoric quarry comprising a series of intercutting irregular scoops was found during the 1987 excavations at Middle Farm undertaken by Wessex Archaeology in advance of the construction of the Dorchester By-pass(1) (2) (3). The numbers in square brackets below are context and feature numbers used in the report and archive (1) (3).

The possible quarry [03361] was located just outside the Middle Bronze Age enclosure and boundary ditches. It comprised a linear series of irregular intercutting shallow scoops. A single sherd of probably Bronze Age flint-tempered pottery was recovered.

The form of this feature suggests that it may be the eroded remains of prehistoric quarrying activity. Its location and orientation suggest that it may be broadly contemporary with the Middle Bronze Age enclosure and boundary ditches.

<1> Smith, R J C et al, 1997, Excavations along the Route of the Dorchester By-pass, Dorset, 1986-8, 73-75 (Monograph). SDO9379.

<2> Woodward, P J and Smith, R J C, 1987, Survey and excavation along the route of the Southern Dorchester By-pass, 1986-1987 – an interim note, 79-89 (Article in serial). SDO9381.

<3> Wessex Archaeology, 1987, Dorchester By-pass (Excavation archive). SDO9385.

Record last edited

Oct 4 2006 4:56AM