SDO14470 - Burngate Pearce's Quarry, Langton Matravers, Purbeck, Dorset. Assessment and Recording.

‘A rapid assessment and recording of the surviving remains at the former quarry known as Burngate Pearce’s, Langton Matravers, Purbeck, Dorset was carried out by Terrain Archaeology in June 2007. This was undertaken in advance of the proposed development of the site for a Stone Work Training Centre. The quarry was opened between 1841 and 1887 and comprised a single mine shaft with a group of five buildings surrounding an open space. The quarry went out of use some time before 1928. The site was subsequently adapted for agricultural use. Parts of three stone buildings survive and their crude construction is typical of quarr buildings of the late 19th century. They incorporate a number of stones with wedge-pits and other marks of former quarry working methods. A number of buildings around the head of the shaft and the capstan are no longer extant, so it is far from a complete example of a Purbeck quarr. Nevertheless it contains a number of interesting features that should be considered for retention in the development of the site. The proposed development is likely to cause only minimal impact on any potential surviving archaeological features below ground. However, it is suggested that the groundworks in the area of the ‘slide’ and capstan be undertaken under archaeological supervision, as these may reveal the location of the capstan and the nature of the ‘slide’ and roller.’