Monument record MDO19103 - Harvey Vault, St George's Church, Fordington, Dorchester; Late Iron Age ?chariot burial

Inhumations, and a horse burial with an undecorated two-link snaffle-bit of later Iron Age type, was found during excavations for the Harvey vault, north of the west end of St George's church chancel in 1840. The bit, taken from the mouth, was apparently accompanied by two small rings of unequal size. The burial might indicate a pre-Roman chariot burial on the hill. Presented to Dorset County Museum; Acc No. 1846.2.8 to 10. <1-3> <5>

SY 69849057. A plaque inside the church indicates the site of the Harvey vault. A churchyard has not been in general use for burials for a number of years. <4>

<1> 1846, Iron Age Snaffle bit, St George's Church, Fordington, Dorchester (Artifact). SDO9746.

<1.1> Display Card Dorset County Museum (Graphic material). SWX1314.

<2> Hutchins, J, 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 2. 3rd edition, 795 (Monograph). SDO9443.

<3> Bartelot, R G, 1915, The History of Fordington. A British Battleground, a Roman Suburb, a Royal Manor, and a Prebendal Church (Monograph). SDO9590.

<4> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 01-SEP-1959 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<5> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3, 553 (Monograph). SDO150.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 453463 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 7:36PM