Monument record MDO47544 - Roman burials, Littlebredy

Reported discovery of Roman inhumations in cists in 1881 and a Roman coin of the 1st century AD in 1882. The exact find spot is not known, though the Valley of the Stones has been suggested.

"A burial place in the long valley near the stone circle at Portesham". Found by the Rev George Penny. "In 1881 interments were found in the side of a quarry slope. There were 3 inhumations in cists 2ft apart and a plain inhumation with no cist a little to the S. The skulls appeared … probably Ro". In April 1882 the occupier, Mr Sims, showed a silver Roman coin found nearby. On the Rev: "A fine female head" and on the Obv: "Caesar and a soldier holding a Victory in his left and a trophy in his right". <1>

"Ro silver coin 1st cent AD found April 1882 or earlier, apparently in the Valley of Stones (Name SY 5987)." <3>

No information was obtained during field investigation which would identify this site, and there is only conjectural identification of the site with the Valley of Stones through the reference to the 'stone circle'. <4>

<1> Cunnington, E, 1915, Cunnington MSS (Unpublished document). SDO10110.

<2> Drew, C D, Colonel Drew's Index, Dorset County Museum (Index). SDO18316.

<3> Rivet, A L F, Annotated record map 6" (Map). SDO17443.

<4> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 30-MAR-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 450312 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 14 2023 11:52AM