Monument record MDO18840 - Borough Gardens, Dorchester; Roman burials

Two or more inhumation burials were found in December 1895 in the Borough Gardens. These were apparently discovered in the soil above the chalk and one was apparently buried face downwards. A number of bronze objects, including a nail cleaner, an armlet and a brooch, were apparently associated with one of these burials. These burials are probably part of a larger cemetery along with other Roman burials found in the Borough Gardens and on Albert and Cornwall Roads.

These burials are probably part of a larger cemetery along with other Roman burials found in the Borough Gardens and on Albert and Cornwall Roads (2).

(SY689905). Numerous inhumations have been found in the Borough Gardens between 1895 and 1942. In 1895 two or more skeletons were found with several bronze objects, including an armlet and broch. In 1921, a human skull, believed to be Roman, was found, and a newpaper report of 1942 states that human remains were found when the tennis courts were laid out. Over a dozen fragmentary remains were found in making a static water tank at SY688889053. A reliable informant (in 1951) estimated that a total of some 50 skeletons had been found over the years. There were few grave goods, and no coffins. Some remains may have been of more recent plague victims.

Nearby, opposite 8 Albert Roadat SY68909057, during drain laying in 1896, the skeleton of a man had an expanding bracelet on the thigh, and nearby, a jar above a skull was thought to have been used for a cremation. In Cornwall Road to the SW, the top of another large vessel, found during the same works, may also have been used for a cremation. Of two further burials in Albert Road, one had an armlet on each wrist, the other having one armlet. More finds suggest that there were other burials. Some of the finds are in Dorset County Museum. (1,2)

Two inhumations were excavated in the rear of 43 Cornwall Road in 1986 and are undoubtedly part of the Borough Gardens Cemetery. (3)

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1900, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club for 1900, 65, 69-71, 84, 92 (Serial). SDO14.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 582 (Monograph). SDO150.

‘(222) BOROUGH GARDENS AREA (a) Inhumations found in the Borough Gardens between 1895 and 1942. In Dec. 1895 two or more skeletons were discovered in the earth above the Chalk, one apparently face downwards; amongst several bronze objects, including a nailcleaner, an armlet and brooch seem to have been associated with one burial. Numerous human bones had been seen. … (Moule, letter 4 Dec. 1895, in Haverfield Library, Ashmolean Museum; D.C.C., 7 Dec. 1921; 17 Sept. 1942.) …’

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1430838 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 7:32PM