Monument record MWX283 - Roman stone coffin and inhumations, Sweet Hill Road, Southwell, Portland

In November 1950 a Portland stone coffin was found during the cutting by mechanical excavator of a new naval establishment near Southwell. The burial had been damaged when Lt. Col. Drew inspected it and he could not find any bones or pottery which could be associated with it with certainly. In December two cist burials were found within a few feet of the former discovery. Some bones and potsherds were associated with one and the other contained a nearly complete skeleton. Hob nails were found with these burials, and the burials are classified as Roman. About 4ft to the E. of the incomplete cist burial, part of a limpet shell midden was visible in section, a quantity of medieval pottery was found in the midden and on the surface of the plot. The sherds were possibly of 12th and 13th cent date. <1>

Romano British nails, Romano British and Medieval potsherds from these burials and this area now in Dorset County Museum (Accession Numbers 1950.49-1, 50-1, 51-1, 52-1 and 1950 53-1). <2>

[SY 68396995] I remember the coffins being found but I know very little about the finds. I was living in the adjoining house at the time though the site I give is within a few yards. <3.1>

The stone coffin which has an internal length of 6ft 3" with its lid is in Portland Museum but I know no more than that reported in Source 1. <3.2>

The siting gives in Source 1 falls slightly off the road. The siting in Source 3 is on the bend of a modern road. There was no trace of antiquity in the vicinity. <4>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1951, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1950, 83-87 (Serial). SDO50.

<2> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 10-MAR-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<2.1> Dorset County Museum, Dorset County Museum Accessions Book (Unpublished document). SWX1315.

<3> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F2 JR 03-JUN-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<3.1> Strong, 1955, Oral: Mr Strong 3.6.55 (Verbal communication). SWX8272.

<3.2> Lidbetter, 1955, Oral: Mr Lidbetter Caretaker Portland Museum 3.6.55 (Verbal communication). SWX8273.

<4> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F3 JR 04-JUN-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<5> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, Externally held archive: RCH01/093 RCHME Inventory: Dorset II (South-East) (Unpublished document). SDO17434.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451536 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jun 1 2023 9:26AM