Monument record MDO3879 - Romano-British burial, Badge House, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham

A Romano-British inhumation was discovered near Badge House, Gillingham, during the cutting of a pipe trench in 1976. The skeleton was subsequently excavated by members of the Shaftesbury and District Archaeological Group (SDAG). The skeleton was oriented with the head to north and hobnails were recovered from the feet. A metal object may have been a knife.

Shaftesbury and District Archaeological Group, 1976, Shaftesbury and District Archaeological Group; Interim Report 1976, 8, Interim Report L3a (Serial). SDO11482.

Director: Mrs. J. Dunse S.D.A.G. Soil: Kimmeridge Clay. Skeleton. Whilst a trench was being dug to lay a water pipe by the owner of the property the discovery was made of a human skull, lying with cranium facing west. Excavations carried out the by Shaftesbury & District Archaeological Group revealed an articulate skeleton lying with head towards North but inclined to the West.
Shoe studs, still in the shape of the shoe were located 1 metre to the east and 20 centimetres above the level of the skull, the shoe measured 24 centimetres in length 8.5 centimetres across the sole and 5.5 centimetres cross the heel.
The skeleton, situated at a depth of 75 centimetres, is situated within the Romano/British settlement area. Romano British debris i.e. pottery sherds, bones and charcoal superimposed the skeleton in the upper 30 centimetres. Romano/British sherds were also located in contact with the skeleton. Aligned nails in parallel and at right angles, also a cluster in the region of the right elbow joint superior to the Ulna bone may indicate a coffin. Also noted was a metal object either a nail or a small knife lying under the Metacarpal bones at right angles to them, the head or handle being laterally external. This object measured xx centimetres in length with a point 5 millimetres in length in a vertical position, giving the impression that it was originally vertical. These were forwarded to the Dorset County Museum for X ray.
Association with the Romano/British period has not been established.
Illustration page III.
Photographic record.’

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1978, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1976, 56 (Serial). SDO76.

‘Gillingham (ST 80062620). During the laying of a water-pipe at Badge House, Common Mead Lane, a human skull was found. Excavation by the Shaftesbury and District Archaeological Group uncovered a complete skeleton 0.75m below the surface with head to the north. Shoe studs were located 1m to the east and 20cms above the skull. Romano-British pottery was found above and in contact with the skeleton. Nails around the skeleton may indicate a coffin. A small metal object, 8cms long, found with the skeleton may be a knife.’

<2> Moore W F and Ross M S, 1989, The Romano-British Settlement, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society (Article in serial). SDO11481.

Record last edited

Jul 10 2025 11:49AM