Monument record MDO4750 - Roman finds from Barrow Hill Farm, Stalbridge

Ten Roman coins, two socketed iron spearheads, bones and a 2-3 inch thick layer of oyster shells were recorded as coming from a field NE of Barrow Farm. These finds stongly suggest the position of a Romano-British occupation site lying just below the crest of Barrow Hill on the eastern side in the angle formed by Grove Lane and Grove Lane Close. The discoveries were made at some time prior to 1965, possibly during the construction of houses on Grove Lane Close.

Romano-British occupation debris has been found in the area centred at ST 733178.

Site 'A' (ST 73311783). A coin of Constantine I was found.

Site 'B' (ST 73331781) An unidentified Roman coin was found.

Site 'C' (ST 73381782) One coin of Tetricus II, one of Gratian and two of Constantine I were found and classified by the British Museum. Other finds included about six unidentified coins, two socketed iron spearheads, a rusted finger ring and stones which appeared to have been used for sharpening. A layer of oyster-shells, two to three inches thick, was found at a depth of eighteen inches. In the garden area generally many bones were found.

Site 'D' )ST 73391785). Two coins of Constantine I were found and classified by the British Museum. A considerable quantity of oyster shells were found in the area of 'A' and 'B'. Some of the coins were seen in the possession of the finders. In the general area of the finds a thin scatter of Romano-British pottery and oyster shells was seen. <1>

ST 733178. This area, previously allotment gardens, <1.1> is now occupied by a small housing estate. Where access was obtained, no finds of Romano-British material were made, or reported. <2>

<1> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR, F1 JR 02-AUG-55 (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<1.1> Davies, Meader, Bealing, Oral information, correspondence (not archived) or staff comments: Oral Information from Messers. (Verbal communication). SDO17684.

<2> Barrett, G, Various, Field Investigators Comments GB, F2 GB 26-JUL-78 (Unpublished document). SDO17369.

<2.1> Ordnance Survey, 1900, Ordnance Survey 25-inch map, epoch two (Map). SDO11594.

<3> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments, 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume III (Central) Part 2, 252 (Monograph). SDO136.

'(29) OCCUPATIONAL DEBRIS (73351784), Romano-British, including pottery, oyster-shells, bones and coins of Tetricus I, Constantine I and Gratian, have been found on the lower slopes of Barrow Hill, on Cornbrash Beds, at c. 300 ft. above O.D. (Ordinance Survey records).
A human skeleton, the mouth of which contained a Roman coin, perhaps of Constantine, is said to have been found in 1918 during the extension of a butter works at Devonshire House ( S. & D., N. & Q., XVI (1920), 47); the location cannot be ascertained.'

<4> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1965, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1964, 119 (Serial). SDO64.

‘(iii) Barrow Hill Farm, Stalbridge. A number of Roman coins have been found in a field N.E. of the farm. At ST 73331781 and Urbs Roma coin, and oyster shells; at 73311783 a coin of Constantine I; at 73391785 two coins of Constantine I; at 73381782 coins of Tetricus I, Constantine I(2), and Gratian. Ten coins in all are, however, said to have been found in the area, also two socketed iron spearheads, bones, and a layer of oyster shells some 2 to 3ins. thick at a depth of about 1½ft. Ordnance Survey noted a thin scatter of Romano-British sherds, and shells, below the crest on ground falling N.E. occupied by houses or gardens, with no indication of structures. The site lies on Cornbrash.’

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 202203 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 23 2024 1:21PM