Monument record MDO18452 - Middle Farm, Dorchester; later Neolithic pits

Two clusters of possible Late Neolithic features was found in Trench 2 during excavations at Middle Farm undertaken by Wessex Archaeology in 1992 . In the western part of the trench was a cluster of three small sub-circular pits, which contained quantities of flint of later Neolithic character, including a chisel arrowhead and two microdenticulates. A number of hammerstones and grindstones were also recovered from them. In the southeast part of the trench was a cluster of three intercutting pits and scoops, which produced some worked flint of later Neolithic character. These two clusters are poorly dated, but may be later Neolithic in date. The western cluster was richer in finds and perhaps included some element of structured deposition. A large number of Late Neolithic pits with evidence for structured deposition were found on the nearby Thomas Hardye excavations.

Two clusters of possible Late Neolithic features was found in Trench 2 during excavations at Middle Farm undertaken by Wessex Archaeology in 1992 (1) (2). In the western part of the trench was a cluster of three small pits and in the southeast part was a series of intercutting scoops.

The pit cluster to the west comprised three small sub-circular pits [1044, 1046, 1051]. Pit 1046 was the largest and measured 1.3m across and 0.45m deep, the other two were about 0.7m across and 0.15m deep. All contained silty clay fills and pits 1044 and 1051 contained some charcoal. No pottery was recovered, but the worked flint from them was ofa later Neolithic character and included a chisel arrowhead from pit 1044 and single microdenticulates from pits 1044 and 1046. A number of hammerstones and grindstones were also recovered from them.

The cluster in the southeast of the trench comprised a shallow scoop (1250), 1.7m long and 1.2m wide and 0.12m deep which cut two other features (1249, 1251). None of these features contained any pottery, but scoop 1250 produced some worked flint of later Neolithic character and included a microdenticulate.

These two clusters are poorly dated, but may be later Neolithic in date. The western cluster was richer in finds and perhaps included some element of structured deposition. A large number of Late Neolithic pits with evidence for structured deposition were found on the nearby Thomas Hardye excavations.

<1> Butterworth, C , and Gibson, C, 2004, Neolithic Pits and a Bronze Age Field System at Middle Farm, Dorchester. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 15-25 (Article in serial). SDO9654.

<2> Smith, R J C, 1992, Middle Farm, Bridport Road, Dorchester. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 239 (Article in serial). SDO9655.

Record last edited

Dec 11 2006 5:05AM