Find Spot record MDO5501 - Two Bronze Age daggers found near Boveridge House, Cranborne

Two prehistoric bronze daggers found during the digging of foundations near Boveridge House in 1802. Reports say that the daggers were 'Wessex Culture' types. This find may indicate the site of a barrow or burial mound.

"In digging for the foundations (of Boveridge House), an ancient British urn was discovered, and deposited with it a fine bronze dagger and a spear-head; also several bones of animals, one of which... was perforated; a piece of stag's horn was worked to a point". <1>

The daggers, antler tine and a hammer-head with hour-glass perforation, all from the foundations of Boveridge House, are in Dorchester Museum, Nos. 1886/8 1 to 4. <3>

Found while digging foundations for Boveridge House in 1802; 6-rivetted grooved dagger of 'Bush Barrow' type and 3-rivetted grooved dagger. Their apparent association, and location of the find-spot on the spur of a hill, imply the probablility that they accompanied an interment, perhaps in a barrow. <4>

<1> Shipp, W (ed), 1868, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 3, 385 (Monograph). SWX3207.

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

(SU 06971477) Boveridge House (British Urn etc. found AD 1790) (NAT)

<3> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 26-MAY-54 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<3.1> Drew, C D, Colonel Drew's Index, Dorset County Museum (Index). SDO18316.

<4> Grinsell, L V, 1959, Dorset Barrows, 104 (Monograph). SDO132.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 213690 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 16 2022 5:16PM