Monument record MDO44596 - Roman burial in lead coffin, Great Down Quarry, Marnhull

In 1892 a lead coffin was found at Great Down Quarry. It contained a skeleton identified as that of a young man, and a shale spindle whorl. It is thought that the coffin may have been melted down during World War One. This burial is part of a larger inhumation cemetery.

Lead coffin found here. "Now lost I think, melted down in 1914-18 war". <3>

At Great Down Quarry seven inhumations were found in 1871, while more than twice that number had been found in the previous year. All were found within an area of about 30 feet, from 1'6"-2' below the surface. The skeletons were placed E-W, in some cases, the heads of some skeletons were between the thigh bones of others. n many cases the heads were protected by two thin slabs of stone placed in a triangular position over them. Coins of Carausius, Allectus, Constantius ad Constans were found with Samian and other ware, fibulae, "bronze spear and arrow heads", part of a quern, and a small Roman drinking cup.

Hutchins also noted that human remains had been found at Little Down when the quarries were first opened. This is centred on ST795202, and only a vague hollow is now visible there. <6>

The finds made in and around this cemetery in 1870-1 with coins covering the period 286-350, suggests occupation contemporary with that at Allard's Quarry (ST71NE1). In 1892 a lead coffinwas also found. This contained the skeleton of a young man and was accompanied by a spindle whorl of Kimmeridge shale. <5>

The quarry is disused and the majority of the area is under cultivated grass, although a short length of quarry face is exposed in the east. There were no surface finds of archaeological interest and no visible trace of antiquity. The site lies atop a low hill, and topographicaly is ideal for the normal Dorset type R-B settlement, although the finds indicate a more Roman type of habitation. <4> <6> <7>

<1> Hutchins, J, 1873, The history and antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 4. 3rd edition, 326-7 (Monograph). SDO10245.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1902 (Map). SWX1540.

(Centred ST79372031) Great Down Quarry

<3> 1905, Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries 9, 5-8 (Serial). SDO18505.

<4> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1918, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club for 1916-17, 72-73 (Serial). SDO26.

<5> Roscoe, Ernest (ed), 1952, The Marn'll Book. A Study for a Portrait of the Blackmore Vale (Monograph). SDO17449.

<6> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 27-Jul-1955 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<7> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 1, 160 (Monograph). SDO146.

'(69) Settlement Site and Inhumation Burials (79551985), Iron Age and Romano-British, were excavated at Allard's Quarry by C.E. Bean in 1932–9 and Mrs. A. Williams in 1944–5. A settlement of the Iron Age 'A' culture, apparently undefended, was continued on a smaller scale during 'B' and 'C' phases on the site. It appears to have been virtually deserted from the middle of the 1st century A.D. until late in the 3rd century, when it was reoccupied. The Iron Age 'A' remains consisted of 66 pits, 1½ ft. to 9 ft. deep, three series of post-holes indicating rectangular huts (one measuring 20 ft. by 12 ft.), pairs of postholes, and two burials. To the Iron Age 'B' phase belonged 19 pits and two circular huts, one 9 ft. across. A possible hut-site, four post-holes indicating a granary 6 ft. square, 16 pits and two burials were attributed to the Belgic occupation. Finds of the Iron Age included much pottery, a bronze ring and brooch, a shale armlet and pedestal base, spindle-whorls, querns, weaving-combs, sling-pellets, and two coins of the Durotriges. Remains of horse beans were recovered from a pit.

The Roman features consisted of a hut site (17 ft. by 13 ft.) with sleeper-beam trenches, gullies, hearths and several burials. Some roof tiles indicated more solid buildings. The coins and pottery were mostly of the 4th century. A small quantity of 2nd-century samian and coarse ware, unassociated with any structural features, was also found. (Dorset Procs. LI (1929), 99; LXXII (1950), 20–75; LXXXII (1960), 85.)'

<8> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1148519 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 4 2022 1:50PM