Monument record MDO8002 - Iron Age/Romano-British settlement site, Godlingston Farm, Swanage

A possible Late Iron Age/Romano-British settlement site identified by a concentration of Durotrigian pottery was found during field drainage works. A small quantity of late Roman pottery was also found. Subsequent excavation has done little to elucidate the nature of this site.

A possible Late Iron Age/Romano-British settlement site identified by a concentration of Durotrigian pottery was found during field drainage works in 1961. Three almost complete Durotrigian vessels were found. Subsequent excavation found more Durotrigian pottery, but did not clarify the nature of this site. A small quantity of 3rd or 4th century pottery was also found on the site. <1-2>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1965, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1964, 118-119 (Serial). SDO64.

Iron Age and Romano-British occupation at Godlingston Farm, Swanage
The writer is indebted to Mr. J. B. Calkin and Mr. John Bowerman of Manor Farm Godlingston, for information about the following site on Wealden Beds. Three nearly whole Durotrigian vessels (two of Brailsford's type 5, with perforated bases, one of type 6A) were found at SZ 01918979 in trenching for drains close to the stream (Western Gazette, 22 Sept. 1961). Notification by Mr. Bowerman led to prompt excavation by Mr. Calkin, revealing several sherds of Brailsford's types 2, 5 and 11 and a rim with a groove on top, at a depth of 5 to 6 ft. beneath sand and clay, not all of which, the excavator suggests can have been hill-wash. The stream had about one ft. of peaty material over it. The sherds found by Mr. Calkinare at the Red House Museum, Christchurch; the vessels, togeterh with sherds found subsequently at theis site including two flanged-bowl rims of 3rd or 4th century, are in Mr. Bowerman's possession.

About 185 yds. to W. (01747975), on the crest of the ridge running E-W, and area of black soil, noted by Mr. Calkin but unexcavated, was associated with scraps of Romano-British pottery and slingstones (not kept), possibly a hut site. While trenching for drains, Mr. Bowerman observed scattered sherds all over this field, pieces of limestone suggesting structures, and areas of peat; one of the latter was to the S. about 01877693. A sherd of New Forest type came from near the stream to N, about 01787984.

<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.

'(93) Godlingston Farm (SZ 07 NW). Occupation Debris comes from an E.-W. ridge about 50 ft. above sea level some 600 yds. S.E. of the farmhouse. Three nearly complete Durotrigian jars were found in 1961 in trenching for drains near the stream (01917979). Excavation by Mr. J. B. Calkin revealed sherds of similar type at a depth of 5 ft. to 6 ft., and 3rd or 4th-century coarse ware has since been collected after ploughing. An area of dark earth with sherds and sling-stones was seen on the crest 185 yds. W. (01747975), and drain-trenching revealed widespread sherds, limestone fragments and peat deposits. Vessels and sherds are at Godlingston Farm and Christchurch Museum. (Dorset Procs. LXXXVI (1964), 118–9.)'

<3> Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology, 1983, Isle of Purbeck Survey, IOP 311 (Index). SDO147.

The site lies in a field occasionally ploughed and in ley pasture when visited.
7/7/D TWA/IOP/1985

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 457470 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 15 2023 7:29AM