Monument record MWX407 - Inhumations and cremations, Combe Fields Quarry, Portland

In 1897 three stone lined cists were found in the COMBE FIELDS QUARRY, two close together and another 50 yds to the N.W. One of the closely grouped graves contained animal bones, charred wood, pebbles and an oval ball of flint, which may have been a pestle to a larger stone which appeared to be an incipient mortar. There were fragments of pottery and a cremation burial. Both the other graves seem to have been inhumations, although they were destroyed before proper analysis could be undertaken. <1>

(SY 68957048) the face of this quarry moved slowly and judged by the date I estimate that my plotting is within 50 yards of the site though I know nothing about the finds. <2>

The area has been quarried out. There were no surface finds and no traces of antiquity. <3>

<1> Herrick Head, J, 1898, Isle of Portland - the Ruined Churches of St. Andrew, p128-9 (Article in serial). SWX2102.

<2> Farrar, R A H, 1952, Archaeological Fieldwork in Dorset in 1951, 93 (Article in serial). SWX2107.

<2.1> Sansome, 1955, Oral: Mr Sansome 3.6.55 Manager Bath and Portland stone Firms (Verbal communication). SWX1998.

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 Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F2 JR 03-JUN-55 (Unpublished document).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

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 Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F3 JR 04-JUN-55 (Unpublished document).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

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451811 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jun 1 2023 11:40AM