Iron Age bones found in Dorset

Submitted by Vicky on Friday, 04 July 2003 Page Views: 1287

Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,500-year-old Iron Age settlement on Portland reports Matt Pitman. A group of skeletons in an ancient burial site, believed to be a cemetery, have been found near Broadcroft Quarry in Easton. The skeletons - nine Iron Age Britons, four Romans and bones of a bird and a sheep - were discovered while archaeologists carried out surveying work on land owned by stone firm Hanson.

Experts believe the burial site is part of a wider Iron Age settlement with eight or nine Iron Age roundhouses thought to have been lived in by relatively poor adults.

The skeletons were found just a few feet under the surface and have now been removed for testing. They are expected to return to Dorset next year for a public exhibition.

John Valentin, of AC Archaeology near Shaftesbury, said the graves were discovered as part of a major environmental study being carried out by Hanson, with a view to expanding Broadcroft Quarry.

He said: "This is a pretty unusual find and one we're excited about. We knew we could find some sort of a settlement in the area through our geophysical testing but we had no idea about the burial site whatsoever. This is a big surprise. The condition of the skeletons varied but the majority of them were excellent."

Among the other artefacts found were pottery, shells and a polished stone axe. The team intends to return to the site next year when they expect to uncover more Iron Age houses.

Mr Valentin added: "We believe the site we have worked in is part of a much bigger settlement perhaps featuring a cemetery to the south and eight or nine Iron Age roundhouses in the northern end of the field. We intend extending the site another 100 metres to the north next year to see what we can discover."

Susann Palmer, director of the Association for Portland Archaeology, said the site was `a very important find'.

"I've inspected the site a few times and the majority of the skeletons were in very good condition. I hope the team are given the opportunity now to fully explore the site to see what else may be there."

Shahram Hakimzadeh, operations manager for Hanson, said the findings came because of a detailed environmental impact study being carried out across Portland by the firm.

He added: "The archaeological finds in our Broadcroft Quarry are very exciting and will enormously help to have a better understanding of the rich history of Portland, it's ancient inhabitants and their way of life.

"We are also grateful to the local population for their responsible attitude during the archaeological investigation and would like to thank then for the patience shown. The results will form part of a public document to be submitted to Dorset County Council in the near future."

Source: This is Dorset 04/07/2003

Contributor Bio for Vicky: Ex Megalithic Portal Editor, Co-author of 'Rock Around the Peak - Megalithic Monuments of the Peak District' and... More

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