Find Spot record MDO2703 - Palaeoliths from Westford Farm Quarry, Thorncombe

At least twelve palaeoliths found by a mechanical excavator driver between 1945 and 1955, and reported to have been found at depths of between one and five metres below ground level.

SWX1540*NB. In addition, the record card also notes discovery in 1950s of Palaeolithic implements including an Achulean chert axe, on north side of road opposite Bateham's Farm at ST340042

(ST 33990439) Palaeolithic Implements found AD 1926 (NAT). (1)

Palaeoliths found in the Westford Farm gravel pits (ST 340042) nclude an Acheulian chert handaxe picked up by W,G. Larcombe on the north side of the road opposite Bateham's Farm (2) and another donated to Somerset County Museum in 1955-6). (2-3)

No further information was gained on the above, but G. Osborne, formerly an excavator driver at the gravel workings, found at least a dozen palaeoliths there between 1945 and 1955, all from 3 feet to 15 feet below the surface. One came from ST 34190445 and others from around ST 339042. Mr. Osborne gave some of them to J. Stevens Cox and three to Mr. Peacock of Herridge Farm, Thorncombe.

The latter are all Acheulian chert handaxes.
The gravel-workings are now closed. (4)

Two chert handaxes have been found by J.J.Wymer in the gravel pit of Messrs JR Platt and Sons south of Chard Junction Station, ST 342045.
One, a twisted ovate and much rolled example, was found in June 1959; the other, discovered in April 1974, is 8 1/2 inches long of flattish pointed form, in almost mint condition. Both have been placed in Somerset County Museum.

According to workmen on the site, very few implements have been found in the pit opposite Westford Farm at ST 339044, but they have been found in quantity in the past in the pit closer to the
river at ST 338046. Most of these implements must have gone into private collections. (5)

<1> Society of Antiquaries of London, Various, The Antiquaries Journal, Vol. 7 p71 fig. 1927 (Article in serial). SDO17921.

<2> Society of Antiquaries of London, 1927, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of London 7, 71-2, ILL (Serial). SDO16929.

<3> Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society, Various, Proceedings of the Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, Vol. 99-100 p7 1954-5 (Article in serial). SDO17918.

<4> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 03-NOV-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<5> G Osbourne, G 0sbourne 20 North Street Beaminster (Verbal communication). SDO17916.

<6> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1963 (Map). SWX1540.

(ST 33990439) Palaeolithic Implements found AD 1926 (NAT).

<7> Roe, Derek A, 1968, A Gazetteer of British Lower and Middle Palaeolithic sites, 54 (Monograph). SWX4454.

<8> Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society, Various, Proceedings of the Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, Vol. 120 p101-103 1977 (Article in serial). SDO17918.

<9> 1993, The Southern Rivers Palaeolithic Project: 1992-1993: the south west and south of the Thames, 162 (Monograph). SWX1173.

<10> Gent, T H, 1994, Archaeological Assessment of a Proposed Extension to Chard Junction Quarry, Thorncombe, Dorset (Unpublished document). SDO12374.

3. Palaeolithic findspot (around ST 3349042; Fig. 2) Eleven of at least twelve palaeoliths found by G. Osborne (mechanical excavator driver, between 1945 and 1955). All found at depths of 1-5m below ground level.

<11> National Record of the Historic Environment, 191519 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 5 2022 10:18AM