Monument record MDO6170 - Neolithic settlement, Walnut Tree Field, Sturminster Marshall

Evidence of settlement dating from Mesolithic/ earlier Neolithic and later Neolithic/ early Bronze age date, the later flintwork coming from pits, postholes and gullies belonging to an extensive settlement beside the River Stour. Also medieval boundary ditches dating to 12th-13th century and possibly building foundations dated to 14th century.

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1992, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1991, 170 (Serial). SDO91.

The Oxford Archaeological Unit carried out exploratory digging in fields west and north of the church (ST950004) between August and November 1991 in advance of the construction of a flood-relief bank by the National Rivers Authority. This revealed flintwork of both later Mesolithic/ earlier Neolithic and later Neolithic/ early Bronze age date, the later flintwork coming from pits, postholes and gullies belonging to an extensive settlement beside the River Stour.
A sequence of medieval boundary ditches and smaller features dating to the 12th-13th century was found, and these were overlain by scattered dry-stone walls and a possible building (all demolished to foundation level) dated to the 14th century and later. Amongst the medieval features were one or two that appear to be earlier, dating from the Norman or late Saxon period.
West-east graves were found west of the present churchyard boundary, most appearing to date from the 12th and 13th centuries. Some human bone was recovered from the earliest medieval contexts.

Record last edited

Jan 22 2025 3:49PM