Monument record MDO5930 - Roman settlement near West Woodyates, Pentridge

Roman finds uncovered in 1919 while digging a sewage pit included pottery, oyster shells, bones and coins. When first reported, this site was described as a midden. Information gathered during Ordnance Survey field investigation in 1954 included the discovery of a large deposit of oyster shells during the digging of a path immediately southeast of the Manor House.

In 1919 whilst digging a sewage pit at West Woodyates Manor a Roman midden was found containing oyster shells, pottery, bones & one or two coins. The well in the Brew House is of unusal size and shape and may be the original well of the Roman settlement. A skeleton found whilst making a flowerbed by the surrounding dyke is believed to be of the Romano-British period. <1>

The sewage pit constructed in c.1919 is situated at 'A[SU 0154 1935] The well, always referred to as the ROMAN WELL probably inherited from the former owners. F.B.Eastwood [Authy T.1.] is situated at B [SU 01601948] The well, 145ft deep, oval in plan with max. diam. 6ft is capped by modern brickwork below the concrete flooring of the modern well house. Still is use as the main water supply. No information is known regarding a ?RB skeleton found in the grounds, but a large deposit of oyster shells were found whilst digging a path immediately to the SE of the Manor House. [SU 0162 1946 The site of the ROMAN midden find is occupied by aseptic tank enclosed by railings. Description of well in T.2. is correct. No futher evidence for a RO or RB settlement, other than that contained in Ts 1&2, obtained during fieldwork. BOKERLY DYKE [Dorset 9 NE 4] to the immediate north has been proved by excavation to be a late 4th C AD RB. Earthwork. <2>

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

<2> Swatridge, G C, Various, Field Investigators Comments GCS, F1 GCS 11-MAY-54 (Unpublished document). SWX1169.

<2.1> Cooper, Lt Col H L, 1954, Oral Lt.Col.H.L.Cooper. Owner West Woodyates Manor, 11-MAY-54 (Verbal communication). SDO18075.

<3> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1975, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume V (East), 54 (Monograph). SDO129.

'(14) Roman Occupation Debris was discovered in 1919 when a sewage pit was cut near West Woodyates Manor House; it lay on a level site of Chalk, 400 ft. above O.D. (01631953). Pottery, coins, oyster shells and animal bones were found. (Dorset Procs., XLIX (1928), 77.'

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 213485 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jul 5 2022 4:03PM