Monument record MDO8419 - Cist burial, Worth Matravers

A burial of unknown date was found during the digging of foundations for a tower. The burial was described as being that of a tall man, crouched and in a 'stone coffin'. It is not clear whether this burial was in a stone coffin or a stone-lined cist; the description of the skeleton as being in a crouched position perhaps makes a cist burial more likely.

In the Spring of 1940 while workmen were digging the foundations for an RAF tower the skeleton of a tall man in a crouched position and in a stone coffin was discovered about 2ft below ground level. No mound has marked the spot and nothing else was found. The spot where the skeleton was found was pointed out to me by Mr Miller and was surveyed at SY 96337733. It was not certain whether the coffin was in fact a coffin or a cist. (SY 97 NE 32 for possible association). <1>

<1> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 21-JUL-52 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<1.1> Mr Miller of Worth Matravers and Mr A J James farmer of Renscombe Farm (Verbal communication). SWX2737.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 456442 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 9 2022 6:17PM