Monument record MDO4587 - Bronze Age settlement, Kites Farm, Blandford Forum

A ditch was discovered during construction of the Blandford By-pass at ST 884 083 contained worked-flints, charcoal, Devered-Rimbury pottery and a carved chalk cup. Striping in the alignment areas revealed another probable ditch, and two 15m diameter hut circles all of Bronze Age date. The features which continue into farmland, suggest an extensive Bronze Age settlement. <1,2>

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 1983, Council for British Archaeology Group 12: Newsletter, Oct 1983, 8 (Serial). SDO17733.

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1983, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1983, 143 (Serial). SDO83.

‘RESCUE EXCAVATION BLANDFORD BY-PASS 1983. During the summer of 1983 members of the newly-formed East Dorset Antiquarian Society (EDAS) carried out a rather hasty rescue excavation west of Kites Farm (ST 884083) in advance of large scale chalk removal by Rush and Tompkins, the by-pass contractors.

It was noticed originally that a ‘V’ section ditch had been cut at some stage through the chalk and was obvious in the chalk face. It was discovered that the ditch contained worked flint, charcoal, pottery and more interestingly, in the primary fill, an articulated skeleton of a dog and a carved chalk cup. The associated pottery was of the Deverel Rimbury type, suggesting a later Bronze Age date.

As the construction work continued, further observations of the ditch were made, revealing similar pottery, bones of ox, sheep and pig. This domestic evidence suggests that the ditch was associated with a nearby settlement and possibly enclosed it.

A large area of projected roadway had been stripped of topsoil revealing another larger feature, probably a ditch, containing charcoal and large sherds of Deverel Rimbury pottery. Many post holes and pits were apparent, from which several hut circles were distinguished, two of which were excavated, again providing later Bronze Age artefacts.

Unfortunately the entire site had been severely eroded by weather and ploughing in the past, resulting in very shallow features which were almost obliterated by the heavy plant crossing the site. However, sufficient evidence was found to suggest that the plateau cut by the by-pass was a vast complex of Bronze Age activity. As the settlement area extends into adjoining farmland it was felt that it would be worthwhile investigating further in the future by field walking or by a resistivity survey.

A full report will be published in these Proceedings.’

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 888628 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 2 2022 11:37AM