Monument record MDO5455 - Iron Age to Roman settlement at East End Ballast Pit, Corfe Mullen

A settlement occupied from the late Iron Age to late Roman. Pits and possible hut sites were observed during mineral extraction between 1927 and 1945. Finds included a pottery kiln, evidence of smelting, and a Roman donkey mill, the latter interpreted as evidence of industrial activity on a large scale, possibly associated with the military.

A settlement possibly established in the late Iron Age and surviving at least to the mid fourth century is indicated by storage and rubbish pits and possible hut sites observed between 1927 and 1945. A pottery kiln excavated in 1932, ascribed to around AD 50-60 with contemporary pits and ditches. Iron slag suggested smelting. Milling on a commercial or military scale is suggested by a piece of a Neidermendig lava donkey-mill.

A settlement at SY 992 983, possibly established in Iron Age 'B' or 'C' and surviving at least to the mid 4th century, is indicated by storage and rubbish pits, alleged hut sites, a 1st century pottery kiln, and possibly another of the late Roman period. Early pottery from the site included Hengistbury class 'B', amphorae and S Gaulish Samian, whilst the latest known occupation yielded metallic-lustred New Forest ware. Similar finds, and a coin of Caligula, came from the area of the 1st century kiln and its associated pits and ditches, whilst kiln wares included ring-neck flagons, mortaria and romanized Durotrigian cooking-pots. Six vessels found in 1929 were probably rejects from a late 3rd cent or 4th cent kiln. Iron slag suggested smelting; and milling on a commercial or military scale is implied by part of the upper stone of a donkey-mill of Pompeiian type. <1-4>

<1> Calkin, B, 1935, An Early Romano-British Kiln at Corfe Mullen, Dorset (Article in serial). SWX878.

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1944, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1943, 57-58 (Serial). SDO43.

‘A mechanical digger was working at an alarming rate during October and November last, and it is fortunate that one of our members, Mr. R. E. Burt of Poole, was able to visit the site from time to time. It is due to him that we have preserved some of the pottery brought to light, and are also in possession of information concerning some at any rated of the pits and hut-sites encountered. A good section of a pit is visible in the face of the gravel pit at the present time, and nearby I found a portion of the upper stone - the hollow Catillus - of a Roman mill for grinding corn.’

<3> Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 1951, Proceedings of the Bournemouth Natural Science Society, 52-3 (Serial). SDO17465.

<4> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 600-601 (Monograph). SDO150.

'(24) EAST END (SY 99 NE) A Pottery-kiln, Pits, Ditches, and Occupation Debris have been found about 200 ft. above sea level in the railway ballast pit beside the destroyed Roman road (992983).
A settlement, possibly established in Iron Age 'B' or 'C' and surviving at least to the mid 4th century, is indicated by storage and rubbish pits and allleged hut sites observed since 1927, a pottery-kiln, excavated in 1932, ascribed to c. A.D. 50-60 with contemporary pits and ditches, and possibly by a late Roman kiln. Early wares, including Continental imports, were sherds of Hengistbury class B, butt-beakers, Belgic platters, amphorae and S. Gaulish samian, with metallic-lustred ware of New Forest type indicating the latest known occupation. Iron slag suggested smelting; milling on a commercial or military scale is implied by a piece of upper stone (catillus) of a Niedermendig lava donkey-mill in Poole Museum. One or possibly two pits lined with clay contained carbonised grain, mainly Spelt wheat.
The stoke-hole of the kiln alone survived (99219830). Its filling and that of the four pits and two ditches some 15 ft. long found within 20 yds. of it, yeilded analagous sherds and an as of Caligula of A.D. 40. Kiln wares included ring-neck flagons, mortaria, and thin-walled romanized versions of Durotrigian cooking-pots probably unintentionally oxidized. Six oxidized vessels (four in B.M.), found together in two rows in 1929, were probably rejects from a late 3rd or 4th-century kiln producing cooking pots and bowls of Gillam's types 147 and 228.'

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 457141 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 5 2022 4:09PM