SDO20968 - Further Prehistoric and Romano-British activity at Poundbury Farm, Dorchester, Dorset

‘Excavations in 2013 completed the archaeological works associated with the development of the area to the north of Poundbury Farm, near Dorchester, Dorset. Investigation of the narrow strip of land, situated between two large areas excavated in 2007, revealed a number of features of prehistoric and Romano-British date. Two Middle Bronze Age cremation-related features, possibly cenotaphs or memento mori, were found not far from a few other, similarly-dated cremation burials recorded previously. A scattering of worked flint came from later features. There remains a distinct lack of evidence for Iron Age activity on or in the near vicinity of the site. It was possible to clarify the relationships between (and the development of) several of the large ditched-enclosures relating to the Romano-British community’s apparently agrarian, predominantly sheep product and crop-based, economy. The very bottom corner of a previously unknown enclosure ditch was revealed along the northern edge of the site, demonstrating that this complex of enclosures continued beyond the investigated areas. Small-scale craft and industry-related features generally appear later in the Romano–British sequence, as observed thus far. The remains of a well-built masonry-lined oven or kiln structure, featuring an iron door-post, had clearly been used, though it has not been possible to determine a particular function. In addition to the metal-working evidence recovered during iv both phases of excavation, the more recently found antler offcut suggests some variety in craftrelated activities. A number of additional Romano-British inhumation burials were found in the northern part of the site. Three had been made in the local Durotrigian style – flexed and usually with a ceramic vessel or vessels – a tradition that has been proven to continue well into the period. A further 10 (nine found in a close-packed linear arrangement) held the remains of more standard Romano-British style burials, ie, coffined, extended and supine, and often wearing hobnailed footwear. Four of the burials had included complete lamb carcasses, laid along or at the end of the coffin, possibly related to their sheep-based occupations, or perhaps of some symbolic significance, eg, innocence and renewal. Regardless of the reasons, they are a most unusual find. One of these burials was even more remarkable; as well as being buried with a lamb offering, a child of around 10 years of age had been decapitated as part of the post mortem rites. Whilst decapitation burials are relatively common in the period, it is rare to find evidence for the ritual being performed on one so young. It is not possible to determine why they were treated in this manner, though it is likely that there was something that marked the child for special treatment in death. As previously surmised, there is little evidence for occupation in the vicinity during succeeding periods. It appears that, from the post-Roman period until recently, the site formed part of a large expanse of farmland to the west of the settlement now known as Dorchester.‘