Monument record MDO25 - Inhumations, New Barn, Abbotsbury

Excavation around 1877 of a bowl barrow of presumed Bronze Age origin recovered items of more than one date. Several inhumations were found, most in what are described as stone cists. Some or all of these are likely to be secondary burials of early medieval date - associated finds included iron arrowheads and a knife. Potsherds found just below the turf, in one case associated with cremated bone, presumably represent secondary burials of Bronze Age date. Other, probably prehistoric, finds mentioned include flint scrapers and a carved piece of chalk. Early medieval copper finds include dress pins, a ring and a ladies case for nick-nacks.

A barrow at New Barn, Abbotsbury was recently opened and found to contain several interments, of persons differing in age, and apparently also in the period of their burial, most of them laid in stone cists. Several urns of rude construction were found in fragments close beneath the turf around the barrow, only one being sufficiently entire at its base to show the original contents of calcined bones. Iron finds comprised arrowheads and a knife, whilst rust stains indicated that a weapon had been laid across the chest of one of the skeletons. Copper finds included a ladies case for nick-nacks, two dress pins and a ring, and there were also several flint scrapers and a carved piece of chalk. Some of these specimens have been placed by the Earl of Ilchester in his museum at Melbury. (1) SY 597833. This barrow is listed as a bowl, but was unlocated. The urns are assumed to be either primary or secondary, with secondary or intrusive skeletons (Saxon?). (2) Situated at the south of Walls Down was a site known as The Mound according to my father who was born in 1876 and who farmed the land as did his father before him. My father is of the opinion that this is the site referred to though he knows nothing of the burials. would see the ghosts of the soldiers who were buried there. (3) SY 59278342. A grass covered flat topped mound of rather irregular shape. Diameter 14.0m and height averages 0.5m. There is no visible ditch surrounding the mound, and a straight ditch 4.0m wide and 0.4m deep situated immediately west of the barrow may be a modern track. the site indicated on the map from Authority 3 was 10.0m from present siting symbol. This mound accords with the information is Authority 3 and appears to be the barrow referred to in Authorities 1 & 2. It is of bowl type. (4) SY 59278342. Abbotsbury 20a. Listed as a bowl barrow, details as Authority 2. Finds from this barrow are now in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. (Nothing shown at this location on OS 1st edition 1 map). (5-6) Compiler (NVQ) JOHN RIGG (JR) (NVQ) DAVID JOHN GRATY (DJG) 17-MAR-1955 - 17-MAR-1955 04-APR-1955 - 04-APR-1955 18-APR-1955 - 18-APR-1955 19-SEP-1983 - 19-SEP-1983 Vol. 1 Page(s) 50-1 Page 319 450576 450578 Related Event Records: Field observation on SY 58 SE 9 Field observation on SY 58 SE 9 Field Observation Field Observation 04 Apr 1955 - 04 Apr 1955 18 Apr 1955 - 18 Apr 1955. (1-5)

<1> Penny, G H, Notes on the antiquities of Abbotsbury, p50-51 (Article in serial). SWX1073.

<2> Grinsell, L V, 1934-55, Dorset Barrows (Unpublished document). SWX4483.

<3> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 04-APR-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<3> Hayne, Oral: Mr Hayne, 4 West St, Abbotsbury (Verbal communication). SWX4484.

<4> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, 18-APR-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<6> Grinsell, L V, 1982, Dorset Barrows Supplement, 32 (Monograph). SWX1703.

Record last edited

Jul 19 2024 4:44PM