Rare Iron Age cremation found in Dorset
Submitted by Vicky on Wednesday, 16 July 2003 Page Views: 6954
Iron Age and Later PrehistoryArchaeologists working at Britain's biggest excavation site near Wareham are celebrating a rare discovery of national importance and a first for Dorset. A student from Bournemouth University uncovered a 20cm pot which turned out to be evidence of the first Iron Age cremation ever found in Dorset.The pot filled with human remains was found intact at Bestwall Quarry - where archaeologist have unearthed a wealth of finds, including 30 Roman kilns.
Archaeologist Lilian Ladle said: "We've found three Roman cremations and a number of Bronze Age cremations but during the late Iron Age in Dorset bodies would be put out to rot or buried.
"This is very exciting - not only is it very rare, it has got some sort of importance possibly linking to someone who did not live in this area."
Massive amounts of broken pots have also been unearthed nearby which may indicate some sort of ritual took place.
A late Iron Age quern stone used for grinding corn was found in the same ditch and there is evidence of lots of post holes indicating a family group once settled there.
A chance to visit the Bestwall Quarry archaeology project is coming up on National Archaeology Days on July 19 and 20. Guided tours take place at 11am, 1pm and 3pm both days and there will be a potter re-firing a Roman kiln. Parking is available near the excavations - from East Street in Wareham follow Bestwall Road as far as it goes.
Source: Bournemouth Daily Echo 15/07/2003
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