Monument record MDO7576 - Iron Age/Romano-British occupation on Furzey Island, Corfe Castle

(Area SZ 00918695); Iron Age B & C pottery found by H P Smith about 1950. (1) Two sites 'A' and 'B' at SZ 00958694 and SZ 00918693 were partly excavated in 1951 by H P Smith and A Bromby. Both sites are in the low earth `cliff', and occur about 4ft above the beach and 2ft below the mainland surface. The sites may be those of huts, but only about 0.5m has been cut away from the cliff face in each case, and it is not known whether the cliff contains most of the sites or whether they have been washed away. Apart from IA B & C ware, pieces of unworked Kimmeridge shale and a piece of fire burnt clay about 1 ft square with wattle imprint, were recovered during the excavation (1). All these objects were from site 'A'; 'B' has as yet been but tentatively explored, yielding IA sherds only. (a) During field investigation a sherd of black gritty ware was found at site 'A', also two pieces of Kimmeridge shale (unworked) and some charcoal. Nothing was found at site 'B'. In view of the charcoal and wattle imprinted clay, 'A' would appear to be a hut site, and `B' is possibly another. Although seen sectionally, stratification poor and gave no clear evidence as to the extent of the sites. These sites were pointed out on the ground by Mr Bromby. The finds are in the possession of Mr H P Smith. Sites probably related to finds on Green Island (qv) SZ 08 NW 3. (2) Furzey Island. Occupation debris comes from two places in the low cliff face on the W shore. A shallow earth-filled depression, unexcavated, some 3 ft below surface and about 12 ft wide in exposed section (SZ 00918694) yielded a small amount of native coarse pottery, not closely dateable. Unworked shale fragments are said to occur. Some 200 yds NW, a narrow feature, perhaps a gully (SZ 00838710), had a similar sherd and a fragment possibly of Romano-British salting briquetage. Included under `Roman Remains' (1). (3-4) (SZ 00958694) Iron Age Pottery found AD 1951 (NAT). (5) An archaeological survey of Furzey Island in 1985 located several banks and enclosures over the whole island (see Illus. card 1). Partial excavation of enclosures `C' and `D' recovered exclusively pre-Roman conquest type pottery, evidence of shale working and residue from iron smithing. :(Enclosure `C' is at SZ 00938702, enclosure `D' in at SZ 00938699). Sherds of Romano-British BBI were recovered from the ditch of the enclosure `G' (SZ 013870) and two possible amphora sherds come from the ditch of enclosure `H' (SZ 01303698). (6) Excavations were carried out on the Island during 1987 as part of the BP Wytch Farm Oilfield development. Bronze Age depositions, possibly indicative of a settlement was identified within the east of the island and three phases of Iron Age occupation were identified. A series of enclosures, one excavated in 1985 (6), were constructed during the second century BC. These were re-established during the first century BC, with evidence of shale working, iron working, salt production and trade links with Armorica. By the late first century BC the settlement was in decline, trade links were still in place, but as the site became less accessible it was abandoned and replaced with a settlement on Cleavel Point (SZ 98 NE 7). Possible Medieval salt production has been identified. Medieval and post-Medieval pottery has been recovered from watching briefs. (7)

<1> Calkin, J B, 1952, Annotated Record Map Corr. 6 (J B Calkin 1952) (Map). SWX2572.

<2> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, 22-AUG-52 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1963 edition OS map (Map). SWX1540.

<5> Farrar, R A H, 1963, Iron Age or Roman Occupation on Furzey Island, Poole Harbour, p104 (Article in serial). SWX3328.

<5> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1964, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1963, 104 (Serial). SDO63.

<6> Bromby, A, Oral: Mr A Bromby (Verbal communication). SWX8212.

<7> 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.

<8> Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology, 1983, Isle of Purbeck Survey (Index). SDO147.

‘Low cliff on W. shore. The island interior has been managed and landscaped. Levelled lawns, managed coniferous woodland and tracks. Also areas of scrub. BP are seeking PP to develop island and TWA intend to undertake archaeological work in advance. OS SZ08NW4. 7/5/D.’

<9> National Record of the Historic Environment, 457500 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 13 2024 8:04AM