Monument record MDO3876 - Possible Sub-Roman Christian cemetery at Langham, Gillingham

According to Hutchins at least one hundred extended skeletons recorded during the quarrying of limestone near Langham; the date of discovery is not recorded. The burials were arranged at 2 feet intervals about 3 feet below the surface, with heads to the west, and are interpreted as a possible sub Roman inhumation cemetery.

Finds & archive ref: Thurnam Skull Catalogue no. 271, "Old English from an anceint cemetery..at Langham...presented by T. Thompson". Possible excavation?

Inhumation Burials (? about 778262), probably a sub-Roman Christian cemetery, found while quarrying limestone near Langham,
on level ground some 350 ft above sea-level; the date of discovery is not recorded. At least a hundred skeletons were arranged at 2 ft intervals about 3 ft below the surface, with heads to the west. Two brooches and some small sherds of rough pottery were found. <2>

Local tradition associates the finding of burials within an area of disturbed pastureland centred at ST 778263. The date of the discovery could not be ascertained. <3>

<1> Hutchins, J, 1868, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 3. 3rd edition, 662 (Monograph). SDO11486.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1972, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume IV (North), 35-36 (Monograph). SDO99.

'(101) INHUMATION BURIALS (? About 778262), probably a sub-Roman Christian cemetery, were found while quarrying limestone near Langham, on level ground some 350 ft. above sea level (Hutchins III, 662); the date of discovery is not recorded. At lease a hundred extended skeletons were arranged at 2 ft. intervals about 3 ft. below the surface, with heads to the west. Two brooches and some small sherds of rough pottery were found.'

<3> Barrett, G, Various, Field Investigators Comments GB, F1 GB 13-AUG-77 (Unpublished document). SDO17369.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 202322 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2022 11:56AM