Monument record MWX830 - Medieval inhumation cemetery, Farm Cottage, Brownsea Island

During alterations to Farm Cottage in 1974, human skeletons were discovered and limited excavation undertaken. Further excavation in 1979 revealed 5 skeletons in intercutting graves cut into natural sand, and revealed by a C16th grey sandy layer. A C-14 date of 1170+/-70 was obtained from grave 9 (HAR-3865). The cemetery may be associated with the lost chapel of St Andrew (SZ 08 NW 7). <1-2>

Archaeological monitoring on an adjacent site in 1996 did not reveal any evidence of graves, suggesting that the cemetery did not extent to the west. A single fragment of skull (possibly human) was found, and interpreted as a stray fragment from the cemetery, as there was clear evidence of modern disturbance by various service trenches. <5>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1981, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1979, 140 (Serial). SDO79.

<2> Jarvis, K S, 1981, Shorter Contributions on Archaeological Topics: A Medieval Cemetery on Brownsea Island, p134-6 Illus. (Article in serial). SWX3342.

<3> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1988, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1987, 139 (Serial). SDO87.

<4> Papworth, M, 1992, Brownsea Island, Dorset. Wessex region, 11 (Unpublished document). SWX1390.

A medieval cemetary was uncovered during alterations to Farm Cottage in 1974. The excavations were conducted by Norman Field and five graves were identified. Keith Jarvis excavated a further two graves in 1979 (Jarvis 1987 p139). A radiocarbon date of 1170 + 70 gave a 95% chance that the occupant of one the graves died between 1030-1350 A.D. The cementary indicates that the chapel (112459) exists nearby and that the Island had a lay population (as men, women and children were present) during the medieval period. Visited 25/2/1992

<5> Cottrell, T, 1996, Archaeological Observations During the Excavation of Footing Trenches for an Extension to No. 1, Farm Cottages, Brownsea Island, Dorset (NGR SZ0286 8762) (Unpublished document). SWX8464.

<6> Jarvis, K S, 1981 , A Medieval Cemetery on Brownsea Island. (Article in serial). SWX7494.

<7> Jarvis, K S, 1987, The Chapel on Brownsea Island - A note. (Article in serial). SWX7644.

<8> National Record of the Historic Environment, 888179 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 11 2024 5:36PM