Monument record MDO4539 - Medieval settlement at Darknoll Farm, Okeford Fitzpaine

The earthworks of a deserted medieval settlement were discovered and surveyed during work in advance of construction of a gas pipeline. During construction work some Roman pottery and large quantities of medieval and post-medieval pottery were recovered.

ST 799118. Remains of a deserted settlement at Darknoll Farm, situated in pasture, and including several house platforms and hollow ways. The centre of the site has been disturbed by a gas pipeline in 1977 when archaeological investigation revealed evidence of structures and house floors with quantities of pottery. Scheduled. <1>

Geophysical and contour surveys, and a small excavation were undertaken when a gas feeder-pipe was laid across the site in 1977. Two R_B sherds, (Samian Drag 38 form and New Forest globular beaker), 78 Medieval sherds possibly of 12th to 15th centuries and over 300 Post Medieval sherds were recovered. <2>

<1> Department of the Environment, DOE (IAM) Ancient Monuments Record Form, 14.7.78 (Index). SDO17347.

<2> Catherall, P, Barnett, M, and McClean, H, 1984, The Southern Gas Feeder: the Archaeology of a Gas Pipeline, 195 (Monograph). SDO16637.

<3> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1978, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1976, 58 (Serial). SDO76.

‘OKEFORD FITZPAINE … (ST 799118). A DMV with several house platforms was found during field walking by L. J. Keen and J. Morris. This was subsequently surveyed by the Department of the Environment in advance of it being crossed by a gas pipe-line. Roman pottery, a large amount of medieval and post-medieval pottery was recovered from the site by L. Groube during construction work. This has not yet been processed.’

<4> Bartlett, A D H, and Hackmann, J, 1976, Magnetometer Surveys of Dorset Medieval Villages (Unpublished document). SDO16638.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 206306 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Feb 21 2022 9:59AM