Find Spot record MDO6804 - Palaeolithic finds from Hoare's Pit, Bear Wood, Poole

Two (possibly three) handaxes recorded from a gravel pit near Bear Wood, Poole. Two pieces of fossilized carbonised wood, possibly of Palaeolithic date also recorded from the same pit.

A small well-made handaxe about 2.5 inches long and slightly rolled, with a slight gloss and rusty-brown patina on the worked surfaces was found by Norman Field in a gravel pit worked by Messrs E G Hoare at Bear Wood. (1)

A large ficron handaxe 5.25 inches long with a slight gloss and light brown patina, but somewhat damaged, was found in the same pit, but from an unknown level. (1)

Two pieces of carbonised wood were found in the top few inches of coarse sand that underlay some 12-15 ft of gravel. The gravel beds form, part of the 'Boyn Hill' river terrace. Professor F E Zeuner (Institute of Archaeology) reporting on the wood was inclined to agree that it belonged to the gravel phase and was contemporary with the Acheulian. The rolled condition and state of fossilization were against the alternative view that the specimen was a later intrusion. <1>

Three handaxes from E G Hoare's pit and stated to be Poole Grammar School. <3> <4>

'A' SZ 04809610. Within 70-80 yds of. Acheulian artifacts and wood.
'B' SZ 04759605. approximately. Presumed L.B.A. Burial Urn.

The above were discovered by Mr N H Field in a gravel pit worked by Messrs E G Hoare of Ferndown, about 700 yds. West of the junction of High Howe Lane with the Ringwood road, just inside the county and municipal boundary.

'A'. (1) Two pieces of carbonised wood found in the top few inches of coarse sand that underlay some 12-15ft. Of gravel.

Reporting on the wood, Prof. F.E. Zeuner was inclined to agree that it belonged to the gravel phase and was contemporary with the Acheulian. The rolled condition and state of fossilization were against the alternative view that the specimen was a later intrusion.

(11) A small well-made handaxe, about 2 1/2" long and little rolled. The worked surface had a high polish and rusty-brown patina.
(111) A large ficron handaxe, 5 1/4" long, with slight gloss and light brown patina, but somewhat damaged.
'B' (1). In 1950 an excavator uncovered,a large urn at a depth of 3ft. The fragments had however been thrown away when investigated. The excavator driver's description indicated a vessel of c. 15" - 18" high, of very thick ware, rusty red in colour and of very gritty paste. It seems that there were irregular finger or thumb marks around the upper part of the sides. A deposit of some 2 ins. Of charred black and grey bone was found inside. <1>

Enquiries at the gravel pit proved fruitless; nothing was remembered of these finds, though the foreman had been there
since 1948. No finds subsequent to those recorded in Authy.1 have been made, or reported. The pit is still worked.
No information as to whereabouts of artifacts. <2>

SZ 048961. Three handaxes from E.G. Hoare's Pits listed. The objects are in Poole Grammar School. <3>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1953, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1952, 106-107 (Serial). SDO52.

<2> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 05-DEC-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3> Roe, Derek A, 1968, A Gazetteer of British Lower and Middle Palaeolithic sites, 51 (Monograph). SWX4454.

<4> Wymer, J, 1993, The Southern Rivers Palaeolithic Project: the Upper Thames Valley, the Kennet Valley and the Solent drainage system, 127 (Monograph). SWX4473.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 458003 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 4 2023 12:55PM