Monument record MDO45478 - Burial at West Woodyates, Pentridge

A skeleton reported to have been found 'in making a flower bed by the dyke' some time before 1927. The gardens of West Woodyates Manor may have been the site of this find.

A skeleton was reportedly found "in making a flower bed by the dyke" some time prior to 1927. The date is unknown, though the presence of West Woodyates deserted medieval settlement and the site of a medieval chapel might suggest a medieval or later date. Eastwood (1928), who noted the discovery, merely noted that the "dyke" (ie part of the Bokerley Dyke complex - Linear 74) was believed to be of Roman origin. This skeleton was previously recorded as part of SU 01 NW 8, where Eastwood's comment was paraphrased to suggest that the skeleton was believed to be of Roman date. Given the lengthy and complex develepment of the Bokerley earthworks, and the lack of detail provided by Eastwood, the proximity of the "dyke" cannot be regarded as good dating evidence for the skeleton. <2>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1928, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club for 1927-1928, 77-88 (Serial). SDO31.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1311479 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 14 2023 2:04PM