Monument record MDO2509 - Late Bronze Age/early Iron Age settlement, Stinsford

Two shallow rectangular features were recorded during observations on construction of a water pipe trench from Stinsford crossroads to Robin’s Barrow in 1985. The features were truncated and sealed by modern ploughsoil, but the filling of one contained early Iron Age pottery and late Bronze Age pottery was found nearby at the base of the ploughsoil. These features were interpreted as a possible late Bronze Age to early Iron Age settlement.

<1> Speller, K, 1985, Observations along a Wessex Water Authority Pipe-liine: Stinsford Crossroads to Robin's Barrow, October-November 1985 (Unpublished document). SDO155.

‘A rectangular cut features, 91cms in width and 35cms in depth showed only in the western section of the pipe-trench (SY70629236). The fill, sealed and truncated by the modern ploughsoil was homogeneous; a dark grey-brown sandy loam. Three rim fragments of earlier Iron Age carinated jars/bowls were recovered from this feature … The form and fabric are reminiscent of the pottery types from Eldon’s Seat; period IIC jars and bowls (Cunliffe and Phillipson, 1968; Figs 16, 17). … A similar rectangular cut feature, 60cms in width and 40cms in depth, was recor4ded in the western section of the pipe-trench at SY70649240. A 5cm band of charcoal occurred in the base of this feature. Two metres to the north of this feature at the base of the modern ploughsoil, a few abraded sherds of pottery were recovered. A hard sandy fabric with soapy surface texture, one of which was a base sherd – possibly late Bronze Age, early Iron Age (not illustrated). These features are located on a gentle south facing slope; a preferred settlement location.’

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1986, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1985, 155-156 (Serial). SDO85.

‘OBSERVATIONS ALONG A WESSEX WATER AUTHORITY PIPE-LINE: Stinsford crossroads to Robin’s Barrow, October-November 1985. … Section 2: SY70529220 to SY71159340. This section covers the pipe trench route along the eastern side of Slyer’s Lane from the junction of Drail Field and the field named 72 Acres south to the point where it leaves the roadside and runs north-easterly across open fields.
A rectangular cut feature, 91 cm in width and 35 cm in depth showed only in the western section of the pipe-trench (SY70629236). The fill, sealed and truncated by the modern ploughsoil was homogeneous; a dark grey-brown sandy loam. Three rim fragments of earlier Iron Age carinated jar/bowls were recovered from this feature (Fig. 1, 1-3):
1: Plain sharp rim with irregular incised line above shoulder. A grey-brown core with red-brown oxidised surfaces; surface smoothed and wiped. Small to medium angular flint inclusions, fine rounded quartz, and occasional fragments of iron oxides, in a fine sandy matrix.
2: Plain square topped rim. A grey-brown sandy fabric with well smoothed surfaces. Occasional small angular flint inclusions, and frequent fine rounded quartz.
3: Plain sharp rim and slight shoulder. A dark grey-brown sandy fabric with frequent small rounded voids. The internal surface is noticeably wiped and has some grass and vegetative impressions. Occasional fine to medium-rounded quartz and flint inclusions.
The form and fabric are reminiscent of the pottery types from Eldon’s Seat; period IIC jars and bowls (Cunliffe and Phillipson 1968; Figs 16, 17).
A similar rectangular cut feature, 60 cm in width and 40 cm in depth, was recorded in the western section of the pipe-trench at SY70649240. A 5 cm band of charcoal occurred in the base of this feature. Two metres to the north of this feature at the base of the modern ploughsoil, a few abraded sherds of pottery were recovered. A hard sandy fabric with soapy surface texture, one of which was a base sherd – possibly late Bronze Age, early Iron Age (not illustrated). These features are located on a gentle south facing slope; a preferred settlement location. …’

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 891807 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 2 2023 2:57PM