Monument record MDO4038 - Iron Age and Romano-British occupation near Hambledon Hill, Iwerne Courtney

Evidence for Iron Age and Roman activity was found in 1933 and 1934 when two pits were discovered in the face of a quarry at the north end of Hambledon Hill. Finds included Iron Age and Romano-British pottery, a stone spindle whorl, animal remains and "other occupation material". Some of the finds are in the Dorset Museum.

Roman pottery etc in pits at face of sandpits. <1>

At the disused sand-pit, modern slip has exposed part of the S face and in this face fragments of RB ware were found embedded in the sand. The sherds were widely scattered and between 6 ins and 1ft below ground level. <3>

Area centred ST 84371335. The faces of the sand-pit have been graded and the whole is now under plough. A scatter of Romano-British, including samian, and Iron Age (?) pot sherds, animal bone and large flints (? building debris) was noted in the plough soil. <4>

<1> Bean, C E, Annotated record map Corr 6", 7.7.50 (Map). SDO16337.

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1960, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1959, 108-109 (Serial). SDO59.

'An Early Iron Age and Romano-British site near Hambledon Hill, Iwerne Courtney. Mr. C.E. Bean writes:- "In 1933 and 1934 I found two pits in the face of a greensand quarry at the north end of Hambledon Hill, ST 84371336. In the pits were Early Iron Age 'C' and Romano-British pottery, a stone spindle-whorl (D.C.M. 1934.45.1), and other occupation material. A recent visit showed that these pits are still visible, and disclosed sherds recently dug up in the western corner of the field at 8426133. In 1933 I also found Early Iron Age 'A' pottery in the ditches of the hillfort itself, at 84281280." '

<3> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 18-JAN-56 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<4> Chaplin, C P, Various, Field Investigators Comments CC, F2 CC 30-MAR-78 (Unpublished document). SWX3450.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 206246 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 15 2023 3:30PM