Monument record MWX3346 - Portland: Early Neolithic house and hearth, Land off Reap Lane, Southwell

Circular feature c. 0.9m in diameter with steep sides and a slightly rounded base 0.2m deep. Clay in base of feature was discoloured and partially burnt. Contained a small quantity of chert flakes, many of them burnt, some burnt stone and a number of burnt hazelnuts. Interpreted as a hearth (1)

No secure dating evidence from hearth but presumed to be of Early Neolithic date since it lies within a concentration of Early Neolithic flint and chert (2)

Presence of concentration of Early Neolithic worked flint and chert associated with a hearth (3)

A rectangular post-built structure with evidence for some internal divisions, a small pit hearth was found outside the building, no contemporary floors or occupation layers were discovered and very few artefacts were recovered. Suggested these are the remains of a Neolithic house (4)

Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 2001, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 2000, 163-4 (Serial). SDO11605.

<1> Bellamy, P S, 1999, Land off Reap Lane, Sweethill, Southwell, Portland, Dorset; Archaeological Evaluation, Interim Statement (Unpublished document). SWX8562.

<2> Bellamy, P S, 1999, Land Off Reap Lane, Sweethill, Southwell, Portland, Dorset: Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SWX8577.

<3> Bellamy, P, 1999, Land off Reap Lane, Sweethill, Southwell, Portland, Dorset: Archaeological Evaluation; Stage 2 (Unpublished document). SWX8564.

<4> Bellamy, P, 2000, Land Off Reap Lane, Southwell, Portland, Dorset: Interim Report on the Excavation of Area 4 (Unpublished document). SWX8559.

Record last edited

Jul 10 2017 2:15PM