Monument record MDO47698 - Bronze Age burial, Wynford Eagle

A burial was found in this parish "upon the estate of the Lord Chief Justice BEST nearly adjoining the eastern side of an ancient road leading from MAIDEN NEWTON, through WYNFORD EAGLE to COMPTON ABBAS and the British entrenchments on EGGARDUN HILL". Discovered in 1827 by some workman who were digging stone for the foundations of farm buildings. 3 1/2 ft below the surface was a cist with a perfect skeleton, an urn and a drinking cup. The urn was broken upon removal, but the cup was 6 ins high, 6 1/2 ins in diameter, with sides 1/4 in thick, and was complete with a handle. <1-2>

No information was obtained during field investigation regarding this site. Lord Chief Justice BEST seems to have been the 1st BARON WYNFORD, and local information ascribes most of the parish to his estate. <3>

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 2, 36-7 No 60 (Monograph). SWX1269.

<2> Gomme, G L, 1886, Archaeology: A classified collection of the chief contents of “The Gentleman’s Magazine” from 1731-1868. Volume 2., 104-6 (Monograph). SDO9822.

<3> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 23-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 450720 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 6 2024 7:39AM