Monument record MDO5504 - Romano-British burials near Castle Hill, Cranborne

Antiquarian records say that, at some time before 1872, human skeletons and the bones of a horse were found during the digging of a pond at the foot of Castle Hill. Fragments of Roman pottery were found nearby on a separate occasion, and it is presumed that the burials are Romano-British in date.

Human skeletons and the bones of a horse were dug up some years before 1872, during the excavation of a pond at the base of Castle Hill, Cranborne; in a field on its west side.

In the bank by the roadside, Warne found various kinds of Roman pottery, black and grey, and part of a white patera. <1>

A pond-like hollow surrounded by trees is situated at SU 05651271. It has a diameter of 9.5 metres, and a depth of 1.6 metres, and is damp at the bottom. Although no finds were made, this appeared to be the only site which would fit Warne's description. <2>

<1> Warne, C, 1872, Ancient Dorset (2nd Edition), 252 (Monograph). SWX1971.

<2> Rigg, J, Field Investigators Comments JR (Unpublished document). SWX1255.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 213657 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 16 2022 4:26PM