Monument record MDO6527 - Bowl barrow at Suckthumb Quarry, Portland

A feature described as a slight raised mound surrounded by a ditch, and interpreted as a probable bowl barrow, was destroyed by quarrying in 1905. It was reported that about 160 urns were dug up at the same time, suggesting an extensive cremation cemetery in and around the mound.

[MARGINAL] An extensive ancient cemetery on the property of Mr F J BARNES at PORTLAND is recorded by MR PRIDEAUX as being in an area for quarrying. The slightly raised barrow was surrounded by a ditch, and contained a large number - probably 100 to 200 urn burials. In the same part of PORTLAND a dene hole was uncovered. <1>

"About 160 urns were uncovered in the course of two or three weeks, and half the barrows are still unopened." <2>

Listed as bowl barrow, 33 paces in diameter, with a surrounding ditch. In the locality of SUCKTON QUARRY. Some 260 Late Bronze Age urns found here. Additional references (a)(b). (3)

From SUCKTHUMB or SUGDEN QUARRY: Three urns, saved when the barrow was demolished in 1908. Over 100 urns were found. Accession No. 1907.3.3 (3 urns (bucket) in D.C.M.) (4)

Cinerary Urns from SUCKTON QUARRY:- A - 5 3/4" high and 5" wide of reddish clay with four small knobs; B - 9" high and 6" wide unornamented; and C - of flower pot shape with finger indentations 10" high and 7" wide at maximum. The first found by PRIDEAUX and BARNES and the other two found in 1907 by PRIDEAUX. C was given to MR CORNICK of BRIDPORT in 1914. A black urn 7" high and 4 1/2" wide with two small knobs remaining reported by PRIDEAUX and BARNES. (5)

(SY68737077) "The face of the quarry moves slowly and to within 100 yards at the maximum the site is as indicated on your 6" plan. I have heard of the finds but know no details" ©. The area is quarried out. There were no surface finds or traces of antiquity. [This site is referred to on SY 67 SE 24].(6)

One of the 15 cinerary urns saved by Mr Prideaux in 1907 was restored and given to the Somerset County Museum in 1909, the four others that he had restored being presented to Dorset County Museum. The urn is a "flower-pot shape, height 9 3/8" having a beaded rim and two lugs below it." (7)

<1> Richardson, N M (BA), 1908, Proc Dorset Nat Hist. Antiq. FC 29, 115-116 (Article in serial). SWX2049.

<2> Gray, H St George and Prideaux, C S, 1905, Barrow Digging at Martinstown, near Dorchester, 39 (Article in serial). SWX2050.

<3> 1909, Proceedings Somerset Archaeol Nat Hist. Soc. 55., p90. (Article in serial). SWX2055.

<4> Abercromby, J, 1912, A Study of the Bronze Age Pottery of Great Britain and Ireland, 42 Fig 419. (Monograph). SDO10121.

<5> Oliver, V L, 1923, Pre-Roman and Roman Occupation of the Weymouth District. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, p32-45 (Article in serial). SWX1763.

<6> Externally held archive reference Display Card and Exhibits Dorset County Museum Dorchester (Graphic material). SWX2052.

<7> Hawkes, C F C, 1933, Barrows. Antiquaries Journal 13, p446 (Article in serial). SWX4347.

<8> Grinsell, L V, 1934-55, Dorset Barrows (Unpublished document). SWX4483.

<9> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 03-JUN-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<9.1> Sansome, 1955, Oral: Mr Sansome 3.6.55 Manager Bath and Portland stone Firms (Verbal communication). SWX1998.

<10> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3 (Monograph). SDO150.

‘(96) Bowl (?) (SY 67 SE; 68747077). At Suckthumb or Suckton Quarry port of a ‘slightly raised mound’ surrounded by a ditch was destroyed by quarrying in 1905 when about 160 urns were dug up and nearly all immediately smashed. It was later reported that ‘probably 100 to 200’ urn burials had been found in the mound, but it is not clear whether this refers to the earlier destruction of to a new group of urns. Some survive in D.C.M. (Dorset Procs. XXVI (1905), xxxix; xxix (1908), cxv; Abercromby II, 42, figs. 419, 419a.)’

<11> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451732 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jun 1 2023 11:50AM