Find Spot record MDO8396 - Roman finds from Swanworth Quarries, Worth Matravers

A Roman mosaic is said to have been uncovered near the west boundary of Eastington Manor above Abbascombe in the 1930s - 1950s; this was reported by Trevelyan Haysom, who was shown the spot by a quarryman. The mosaic was said to have been re-buried but a small trench dug on the site in 1993 revealed no trace of the mosaic or other evidence of occupation.

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1968, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1967, 145 (Serial). SDO67.

<2> Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology, 1983, Isle of Purbeck Survey, IOP 396 (Index). SDO147.

‘The site lies within a quarry still in use and scheduled for expansion. Surrounding fields regularly ploughed. 7/7/D.’

<3> Papworth M, 1994, Eastington, Acton, Westwood, Wilkswood, New Barn, Corfe Castle Estate, Wessex Region, 64 (Unpublished document). SWX1388.

Trevor Haysom of Swanworth Quarries describes the discovery of a mosaic near the west boundary of Eastington Manor above Abbascombe in the 1930s – 50s. The story was told to him by a quarryman, now dead, who showed him the site. It was said to have been uncovered during quarrying work in the area and then buried again. Another report states that it was found while laying a service pipe to Eastington Farm from the Langton Road. In the summer of 1993 David Hinton of Southampton University excavated a trench on the Worth side of the Eastington Manor boundary and found nothing. In December 1993 a small trench was dug on the spot pointed out by Trevor Haysom (SY98007790). There was no indication of any indication of occupation site here neither were there signs of quarrying. The Romano-British buildings at Compact Farm lie 400m west of this site and two fragments of stone mortaria thought to be of Roman date have been reported during recent drystone walling at SY98557875.

Record last edited

Oct 3 2021 4:31PM