Monument record MDO7755 - Bronze Age burial at Lynchard, Langton Matravers

In 1953 two roughly-rectangular limestone slabs were ploughed up and moved to the side of the field. Two years later another slab was ploughed up from the same spot; a flint knife and whet stone were also found, and the site was subsequently investigated by J B Calkin who found a shale button. These finds were dated to the Beaker period and were interpreted as the probable site of an early Bronze Age burial in a stone cist.

SY 99207965. Early Bronze Age stone cist associated with a `V'-form shale button, flint knife and whetstone was found
in a field known as `Lynchard' at Langton Matravers between 1953-55. No burial was discovered. The flint knife and shale button are now in Red House Museum, Christchurch. <1-2>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1960, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1959, 116-118 (Serial). SDO59.

<3> Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology, 1983, Isle of Purbeck Survey, IOP 414 (Index). SDO147.

‘The site lies in a field occasionally ploughed and in ley pasture when visited. 7/7/D.’

<4> Papworth M, 1994, Eastington, Acton, Westwood, Wilkswood, New Barn, Corfe Castle Estate, Wessex Region, 47 (Unpublished document). SWX1388.

An Early Bronze Age stone cist associated with a ‘V’-form shale button, flint knife and whetstone was found in a field known as Lynchard at Langton Matravers between 1953-55. In 1953 Mr Philip Lovell of Wilkswood Farm ran up his plough against two Purbeck Marble slabs, both roughly rectangular. These stones he removed to the south edge of the field. In March two years later another small slab was found. The farmer reported that on turning it over he saw a lump of clay adhering to one corner, and out of this clay he picked the butt end of a flint knife or dagger. The slab was removed and placed with the others. A week later he found a whetstone at about the same spot. J. Calkin excavated the site and found a shale ‘V’ button but the excavation of 10 square metres of soil to 0.3m depth revealed only a few flint flakes. No burial was discovered. The flint knife and shale button were kept at the Red House Museum, Christchurch (Calkin 1959, 116). Mr. R. Saville says that they have been moved to a central store museum at Alton.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 456462 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

<12> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 512 (Monograph). SDO150.

Record last edited

Apr 16 2023 8:29AM