Monument record MDO8175 - Skeletal remains from Northpoint, Wareham St Martin.

Peak Vale Building Development behind the Railway Inn, Northpoint, Wareham. Burials found during building work. Site visited by Mrs Lilian Ladle on two occasions. 21 October 1988. Topsoil, c.18 inches brown earth very disturbed and possibly brought in from elsewhere. Underlying topsoil was a seam of gravel varying in thickness from c. 1ft to 3ft and more. The remains were found by the JCB driver under the gravel at a depth of 2 and a half to 3 ft. and scattered over an area of approximately 20ft by 8ft. The bones had been sent to the Dorset County Museum, and originally consisted of 4 skulls (now only 2 intact) and various other bones, mostly long bones. The remaining 2 skulls were almost intact. (see parish file for Mrs Ladle's letter giving more detailed description). 5 adults and 2 children minimum.

6 December 1988. Mrs Ladle notified that a skull had been found and requested to remove rest of skeleton which was still in situ. Complete except for legs which had been cut off by trench. Body 2ft below the present ground surface and aligned approximately SW-NE. to the left of the adult was a child , which had been lifted buy the builders. Mr Hugh Lane, a dental surgeon of Wareham, estimated that the child was 6-8 years and the adult, who had extensive gum disease, was 18-25 years old.

Mrs Mary Courtney who lived in a caravan on the site, reports that she found a skull while gardening (present whereabouts not known) (1)

Ladle, L, 1988, Letter dated 21/10/1988 (Unpublished document). SDO14180.

<1> Ladle L, 1989, Skeletal Remains from Northpoint, Wareham St Martin, p152-154 (Article in serial). SWX8738.

Record last edited

Feb 15 2016 3:55PM