Monument record MDO8000 - Inhumation burials, Ballard Down, Swanage

Roman inhumation burials were found in 1917 about 350 feet above sea level on the south slope about 100 yds from cliffs. A skeleton in a cist of Purbeck stone slabs was found.

Inhumation burials were found in 1917 on Upper Chalk about 350 feet above sea level on the south slope about 100yds from cliffs. A skeleton in a cist of Purbeck stone slabs was found, with remains of another nearby in a plain grave. - listed under Roman remains. <1-2>

<1> Society of Antiquaries of London, 1917, Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of London 30, 236-7 (Serial). SWX3447.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 611 (Monograph). SDO150.

BALLARD DOWN (SZ 08 SW). Inhumation Burials were found in 1917 on Upper Chalk about 350 ft. above sea level on the S. slope about 100 yds. From the cliffs (03978123). A skeleton in a cist of Purbeck stone slabs was found, with remains of another nearby in a plain grave. (Procs. Society of Antiquaries XXX (1917-18), 236-7.)

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

Site lies on a hillslope in permanent pasture. It lies E=S. of an E-W footpath which follows the ridge top. SO SZ08SW39
7/7/D TWA/IOP/1985

<4> Papworth, M, 1992, Whitecliff Farm, Purbeck, Dorset, Wessex Region, 15 (Unpublished document). SWX1387.

Burials were discovered on Ballard Down in 1917 (Englehart 1917 p236). “There is a large camp at Swanage, lying at the foot of Ballard Down, and, while the Royal Engineers were engaged in excavating for the construction of a waterpipe for the camp, they struck an consisting of slabs of stone, placed on edge, and the remains of another burial close by but not enclosed by stones. The District Officer R.E. kindly marked the site for me on the 6in. Ord. Map, showing it about 100 yds. North of Ballard Cliff, and near a barrow” These burials are undated but may be part of a cemetery of prehistoric or Romano British date (see fig 6 for a similar burial excavated at Ulwell).

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 457658 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 14 2023 6:36PM