Find Spot record MDO6154 - Palaeolithic handaxe, Sturminster Marshall

An Acheulian handaxe of unevenly-patinated brown flint found in 1951 or 1952 in the hedge bank next to the road north of Baillie Gate. Presented by the finder to the Dorset County Museum.

An early Acheulian hand axe was found in 1951 by Miss V M Chandler of Dullar Farm, Lytchett Matravers, in the hedgebank on the north side of the Blandford Road, north-west of the crossroads near Bailie Gate. Presented to Dorset County Museum, Acc. No. 1951.17.1. <1>

(SY 94629931) The axe was found protruding from the earth hedge, behind and within six feet of the telephone call box. Present location as in authority 1. <2>

Chandler, V M, Miss V M Chandler, Dullar Farm, Lytchett Matravers (Verbal communication). SDO20067.

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1952, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1951, 114-115 (Serial). SDO51.

‘Miss V. M. Chandler of Dullar Farm presented to Museum three implements found by her in 1951 and 1952. (a) Acheulean hand axe (1951.17.1). This tool of unevenly patinated brown flint, measuring 9 ins x 4.3 ins at its widest point, was found almost buried in the hedge bank on the N. side of the Blandford Road N.W. of the crossroads near Bailie Gate, Sturminster Marshall, at about nat. grid ref. SY(30)/946993. Professor M. C. Burkitt has kindly examined it and reports as follows:- “The implement is a magnificent example of Acheulean coup de poing …”’

<2> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 15-MAR-54 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3> Roe, Derek A, 1968, A Gazetteer of British Lower and Middle Palaeolithic sites, 54 (Monograph). SWX4454.

<4> Wymer, J, 1993, The Southern Rivers Palaeolithic Project: the Upper Thames Valley, the Kennet Valley and the Solent drainage system, 119 (Monograph). SWX4473.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 457255 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 29 2025 4:29PM