Monument record MDO18300 - New Cemetery, Poundbury: prehistoric quarry pits

Two large pits were found adjacent to each other during the 2000 Wessex Archaeology excavations on the new Poundbury cemetery site. A further similar feature was found during the 1997 evaluation of the site, but not fully explored. They were roughly circular and appeared to have an access step on one side. They appeared to have gradually silted up and contained a small quantity of Roman material in the uppermost part and some Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age pottery. Their precise date is not certain, but they are probably Bronze Age chalk quarries.

Two large pits were found in Excavation Area 1 during the 2000 Wessex Archaeology excavations on the site of the new cemetery at Poundbury, Dorchester. The numbers in square brackets below are context and feature numbers used in the report (1). Another similar feature was found in Trench 33 during the 1997 evaluation of the site (3)

The westernmost pit [5330] was circular in plan with a diameter of 5.8m with steep, near vertical sides and a flat bottom 1.6m deep. It had a shelf or access step cut into the southwest side. It was filled with a series of silty clays alternating with lenses of weathered chalk indicating a long period of natural silting, but there had been some animal activity causing some mixing of deposits. Significant quantities of worked flint of Bronze Age character was recovered from this pit, as well as a fragment of a polished Neolithic axe. Pottery, predominantly early Roman in date, was recovered from the uppermost part of the fill. Two late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pot sherds were also recovered.

The easternmost pit [5319] lay two meters to the east and was only partially within the excavated area. It appeared to be a similar size and shape to pit [5330] and had a depth of 1.75m. This pit also appeared to have a step or shelf on the southwestern side. Its fill was similar to pit [5330]. The only finds were a fragment of Roman tile from the upper part and a small quantity of worked flint.

The similarities between these pits suggest a similar function and date. Their size and morphology suggests that they may be quarry pits for chalk. Their dating is not secure. The Roman material in the upper parts and the evidence for a long period of silting suggests they may be prehistoric in date.

A third pit was partly exposed in Evaluation Trench 33 and was originally interpreted as a natural feature. However, its size and shape would suggest that it is another prehistoric chalk pit. It measured about 8-9m across with steep sides and was over 1.3m deep. It was filled with homogeneous clay loam containing charcoal flecks and worked flint (3).

<1> Seager-Smith, R, 2001, New Cemetery, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset: Archaeological Excavation. (Unpublished document). SDO9522.

<2> Gardiner, J, 2003, Dorchester, New Cemetery and Sports Centre, Poundbury. Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 157-159 (Article in serial). SDO9523.

<3> Grove J and Smith R J C, 1997, Proposed Sports Centre and Cemetery, Poundbury, Dorchester: Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SDO9539.

Record last edited

Oct 6 2006 5:09AM