Monument record MWX3662 - Roman occupation, Bowleaze Cove, Preston, Weymouth

A site excavated in 1969 close to the mouth of the River Jordan contained evidence of Roman occupation including pottery, ash, brick, bone and dressed stone. Other finds and observations indicate a layer of Roman occupation material around the mouth of the River Jordan and in landslips on Furzy Cliff.

A Romano-British settlement exists on the seaward side of Jordan Hill, centred SY 702819, and pottery and other remains have been revealed over many years by erosion of the cliff-face. An occupation layer, probably 4th century, with tile fragments and sherds of the 2nd centrury and later, was sectioned in a low scarp above the foreshore from SY 70198195 to 70248194. A pebbled floor on a base of larger stones, with fragments of amphorae, was seen in 1935, and between 1945 and 1949, Miss Keef observed a dark occupation level with rubbish ditches containing native RB pottery, New Forest ware, limestone paving slabs and a fragment of tegula.

The north wall of a substantial stone building was excavated in 1969 at SY 70158197, with 3rd to 4th century pottery sealed beneath a rubble and mortar floor. The rest of the buildings had been eroded away. <3>

A grave found between 1835 and 1845, thought to have been uncovered by the landslips at Furzey Cliff, contained a skeleton with a gold finger ring, a model bronze battle-axe and a silver coin of Ptolemy, c 285 BC.

Other finds include a silver coin of the Durotriges (Mack 317) discovered at SY 70148196, 1st to 3rd century coins found on the cliff in 1925 and RB sherds from the stream at SY 70328201. The remains of a structure believed by Medhurst to have been a quay connected with the settlement were formerly visible at low tide in Bowleaze Cove. <1-4>

A layer of occupation debris, probably from the 4th century AD from 6 to 8 inches thick. The layer contained animal bones, tile fragments and pottery sherds ranging in date from the 2nd century onwards. The layer has been revealed in section by the action of the stream on its W bank. The layer can be seen to extend for 60 yards. Previously, a floor of pebbles on a double course of large beach stones with amphora sherds was noted in 1935 and in 1945-9 traces of ditches running seawards were observed.

A site briefly excavated and recorded in July 1969 close to the mouth of the River Jordan. Romano-British pottery of varied date was observed falling from the cliff as well as ash, brick, bone dressed stone and other occupation evidence. Putnam noted that erosion at this site was slow, but gave no measurement of it. <3>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1949, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1948, 63-4 (Serial). SDO48.

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1963, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1962, 112 (Serial). SDO62.

<3> Putnam, W G, 1969, Interim Report on Excavations at Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth, p186 (Article in serial). SWX2427.

<4> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 617-8 (Monograph). SDO150.

<5> Historic England, Historic England Archive, AA72/01797 (Index). SDO14738.

INTAGLIO IMPRESSION FROM 'HOLLOW GOLD' FINGER RING FOUND IN GRAVE (?AT FURZY CLIFF EDGE) 1844.(3X SCALE) SEE DOR2/PT 3/618 INTAGLIO OF GLASS - GRAECO-ROMAN,1ST CENT.BC OR LATER

<6> Historic England, Historic England Archive, P11380 (Index). SDO14738.

NORTH EAST CORNER OF ROMAN BUILDING (FLOOR REMOVED) FROM WEST SEE DOR2/PT 3/617.(3/4TH CENT.)

<7> Historic England, Historic England Archive, P11381 (Index). SDO14738.

ROMAN BUILDING AT CLIFF EDGE FROM WEST (SEE DOR2/PT 3/617)

<8> Historic England, Historic England Archive, P11382 (Index). SDO14738.

EXCAVATION OF ROMAN BUILDING FROM NORTH (SEE DOR2/PT 3/617)

<9> Historic England, Historic England Archive, P11383 (Index). SDO14738.

RO BUILDING FROM SOUTH SHOWING IN ERODED CLIFF (DOR2/PT 3/617)

<10> Historic England, Historic England Archive, P11384 (Index). SDO14738.

FOUNDATION OF WEST WALL OF RO BUILDING FROM S.(DOR2/PT 3/617)

<11> National Record of the Historic Environment, 454282 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 6 2024 4:38PM