Monument record MDO7751 - Roman occupation near Windmill Knap, Knitson Farm, Langton Matravers

In October 1969 two seperate areas of stone rubble and occupation debris were found in a trench cut by the North Sea Gas Company. Earlier finds on the surface of this area had been made about 1963. No definite walling has been found although much block-stone debris was uncovered. A number of small finds were made including shale fragments, Romano-British black-ware, a quernstone and three limestone blocks.

SZ 00928003. A few Romano-British sherds were found near the south edge of the field below Windmill Barn by P A Brown a few years before 1963. (Farrar 1964)

A Romano-British site at Windmill Knap, previously suspected from earlier finds, was partly exposed during trenching for a gas pip-line in 1969. Brown and Helfer investigated the trench and found two seperste areas of stone rubble and occupation (black soil) debris.

(i) The easternmost length of black soil and stone debris was located at SZ 00958005 where a section of wall up to four courses high was visible in the south face of the trench. No sign of occupation in the north face of the trench suggested that the pipe-line approximately coincided with the northern limit of the occupation.

(ii) The second stretch of similar debris was seen at SZ 00868009 but no definite walling could be discerned although much block-stone debris was present in both faces of the trench.

Finds from the sides of the trench and the excavated spoil included fragments of a shale panel or tray, Romano-British black ware sherds and part of a lower quernstone. In possession of Mr Helfer, Knitson Farm. (Brown 1969)

Historic Environment Record compiler's comments (Verbal communication). SDO20225.

Published grid reference SZ 00928005 likely to be incorrect

Historic England, National Record of the Historic Environment, 457659 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Farrar, R A H (Compiler), 1964, Archaeological Notes and News for 1963: Recent Discoveries and Accessions. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 105 (Article in serial). SWX2116.

‘Romano-British sherds from Langton Matravers … (ii) A few years ago Mr. P. A. Brown noted a few Romano-British sherds near the south edge of the field below Windmill Barn; SZ 00928005. The site, now in pasture, has springs issuing from Wealden Beds.’

Brown, P A, 1969, A Romano-British Site at Windmill Knap, Knitson Farm, Langton Matravers. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 188 (Article in serial). SWX798.

Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 602 (Monograph). SDO150.

‘A few Romano-British sherds are recorded … on Wealden Beds near Windmill Barn, SZ 00928005 (Dorset Procs. LXXXV (1963), 102).’

Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology, 1983, Isle of Purbeck Survey, IOP 285 (Index). SDO147.

The site lies in a field reguarly ploughed and in stubble when visited. To the S. Is a line of trees and further S. the ruins of Windmill Barn and Windmill Knap, in permanent pasture. OS SZ08SW55. 7/7/D

Record last edited

Feb 23 2026 11:24AM