Monument record MDO5864 - Roman military site at Lake Gates, Pamphill

An early Roman military site occupied from just after the conquest until about AD 60. A Roman fort originally dating from the first century AD, which developed into a vexillation fortress. Other features include Iron Age and Neolithic pits, and Medieval ovens.

SY 999992. A Roman site excavated in a minor way from 1959 onwards. Finds of coins and pottery were consistently Claudian/Neronian and the area also yielded some pieces of military equipment (a tinned nielloed roundel and a pendant, considered to be horse trappings, a bronze armour hings, several pieces of lorica segmentata a strap end and a cuirass hook). The reports are confusing and sometimes contradictory. The site has been interpreted as a large temporary camp converted into a more permanent depot and succeeded by a smaller fort (see plan). The excavation areas so far however have been very limited and the interpretation (particularly as regards the extent of the large work) is admittedly speculative. Excavation on a larger scale is anticipated in 1975.

Finds of periods other than Roman include a pit with Iron Age "A" pottery at SY 9995 9920 (2) and a pit at SY 9978 9918 with worked flints and potsherds of Neolithic type (1). Two medieval bread ovens and other evidence discovered near the road junction (SY 997 990) suggest that cottages might have fronted the road here in the middle ages (9).

Roman fort at Lake Farm.

A series of early military bases at Lake Farm were discovered several years ago, but limited excavations so far have only established a stratigraphical and chronological outline.

Work in 1972-3 suggested that there was a series of four successive installations ranging in date from circa 44-65 AD, the earliest of these was probably a camp. The second phase was represented by a ditch circa 17 ft (5.2 m) wide by circa 61/2 ft (2 m) deep. It has been suggested from the area of occupation as tested by geophysical methods and from finds of legionary equipment, that the second or third phase was a large fort or even fortress garrisoned by Legio II Augusta, but there is still insufficient evidence. A number of other defensive features have been located including ditches and traces of turf rampart and timber corduroy, but these cannot as yet be assigned to any of the four phases.

The Roman military base at Lake Gates was partly excavated by I Horsey (Archaeological Officer, Poole) in 1978-79. Evidence of a rampart around the encampment, surrounded by a defensive ditch, with industrial activity outside that was discovered. Inside the rampart was a row of pits probably used for dumping refuse, and near this was part of a perimeter road which probably ran around the edge of the camp, which may have covered 20 or 30 acres. Evidence of timber built barrack blocks opening out into the centurion's quarters and the remains of what may have been administrative buildings near the centre of the site were also found. Finds included pottery, fragments of armour plating such as hinges, buckles and bronze hooks, plus a lead-lined tank set into a massive clay foundation, the purpose of which is unknown. It is unlikely that the site will ever be fully excavated due to its vast size.
"SZ 000 992. Roman military site, Lake Farm Scheduled."

Published as Roman Fort.

Brief report of 1979 excavations in advance of the Wimborne bypass (17). Similar information to (15). There was one main structural period, occupation extending from soon after the Conquest until about 65 AD. The fortress is now known to have occupied about 30 acres as a result of magnetometer survey (18).

Further limited fieldwork has been carried out on the site. Excavation in 1980 revealed a building and cess pit, while a watching brief recorded more pits including two wells, one containing a dump of stamped Samian, the other an amphora. Tiles from the site may have come from an undiscovered bath house.

No remains of the Roman site are visible on the ground.

A fluxgate magnetometer survey defined the south and south-east defences, enabling a more accurate assessment of the size of this vexillation-fortress at c.29 acrea within ditches. A small excavation tested one of the internal linear features recorded, and showed it to be a regular V-shaped ditch of the military period, c. 1m deep and 1m wide, cutting the foundations of a timber building apparently belonging to the main phase of occupation. Lake is listed as a vexillation fortress by Frere and St Joseph. (23)

A complete globular amphora was found in a well or pit containing early Roman material during the excavation of a pipeline across the fort in 1980. A graffito on the vessel reads 'ARI'. In Poole Museum. (24)

The fortress was supplied by a leat running from the south which divided into two as it approached the site, one possibly to serve and industrial area, the other perhaps the suspected bath-house (See auth 4 and 6). (25)

An early Roman military site occupied from just after the conquest until about AD 60. Excavation between 1962 and 1981 revealed evidence of a substantial site of about 35 acres. Nothing is now visible on the surface.

Devonshire Association, 1967, Devonshire Association reports and transactions, 143 (Article in serial). SDO20530.

1970, Devonshire Association reports and transactions Vol 14 (1970), 151 (Article in serial). SWX4025.

David, A E U, 1976, Lake Farm (Unpublished document). SDO17304.

David, A E U, 1980, Ancient Monuments Laboratory Geophysics Section. Report on Magnetometer Survey: lake Farm 1980 (Unpublished document). SDO17205.

David, A E U, 1982, Ancient Monuments Laboratory Geophysic section: Report on Magnetometer Survey. Survey: Lake Farm (3) (Unpublished document). SDO17207.

David, A E U, 1983, Ancient Monuments Laboratory Geophysics Section: Report on Magnetometer Survey. Survey: Lake Farm (4) (Unpublished document). SDO17206.

Coy, Jennie, 1983, The animal bones from Lake Roman Fort, Poole. Poole Museums Site No.20 (Unpublished document). SDO17305.

McMurray, M, 2005, Lake Farm House, Willett Road, Ashington, Dorset. Archaeological Desk-based Assessment (Unpublished document). SDO15113.

Milward, J, 2009, Lake Farm, Wimborne , Dorset: Archaeological Evaluation and Watching Brief Report (Scheduled Monument no 736) (Unpublished document). SDO15292.

Milward, J, 2009, Lake Farm, Wimborne, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation and Watching Brief Report (Unpublished document). SDO12263.

Clements, Megan, Linford, Neil, Linford, Paul, Payne, Andrew, and Hahn, Sandra, 2024, Wimborne Showground, Lake Farm, Wimborne Minster, Dorset. Report on Geophysical Surveys, September 2024 (Unpublished document). SDO21375.

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1966, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1965, 99-101 (Serial). SDO65.

‘EXCAVATIONS AT LAKE GATES, PAMPHILL, NEAR WIMBORNE, DORSET. The Roman road from Poole Harbour to Badbury Rings makes a sharp change of direction just before crossing what is now at least a backwater of the Stour S.W. of Wimborne (Fig. 8). Excavations directed by N. H. Field, and in 1962 by B. K. Davison for the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works, have taken place periodically since 1959 close to this bend. The site first attracted notice in 1959 during investigation of the road system by Mr. R. A. H. Farrar of the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), when a linear ridge was traced running approximately east to west from near Merley Hall Farm to a point north of Lake Farm, converging on the bend in the known Roman road [Footnote 1: Our thanks are due to the owner of Lake Farm, Mrs. Moy, and the Whiffen family, tenants, for many kindnesses, and in particular to Mr. John Whiffen who first pointed out the existence of the ridge to the Royal Commission]. This had the superficial appearance of a Roman road, and seemed to offer an alternative to the supposition that the road located at Stapehill by the late Colonel Drew [Footnote 2: Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset, Vol 19, pp. 170-171], probably coming from the New Forest, was aimed to meet the Poole-Badbury road at the Roman settlement at East End, Corfe Mullen.

The excavations have located a number of pits and gullies yielding coins, pottery, glass, objects of iron, shale and bronze and animal bones [Footnote 3: Journal of Roman Studies, Vol. 53 (1963), pp. 149, 166], in addition to a Neolithic pit [Footnote 4: Procs. Prehist. Soc., Vol. 30 (1964), pp. 352-360]. Of over a dozen coins found, one is a denarius of Augustus, another is probably of Augustus, and eleven are issues of Claudius I, including official and imitation asses and dupondii, a dupondius of Antonia and a sestertius commemorating Nero Claudius Drusus. None is later than the age of Claudius, while all the samian ware so far examined including stamps of the potters Aquitanus and Licinus, confirms that the occupation of the area was probably limited to the first two decades of the Roman period after A.D. 43. Many sherds have been recovered of wares apparently made ½ mile to the S.W. at the kiln at East End, Corfe Mullen, known to have been working for a short time around A.D. 50. The glass from the site, seen by Dr. D. B. Harden, is all consistent with this period.
Excavation was continued during April, 1965 by N. H. Field, aided by R. J. Briggs on behalf of the Wimborne Historical Society. The Grammar schools at Poole and Wimborne gave valuable help. A line of anomalies registered by a magnetic survey proved, where investigated, to be formed by a series of pits and gullies, probably tying in with similar features previously located on the other side of the A31 trunk road, to the N.W. Further evidence of early Roman occupation came to light in trial trenches about 400yds. east of previous finds and close to the eastern end of the linear ridge. Bronze objects so far found at Lake Gates include two buckles (one illustrated in Fig. 9, a), a strap-end, and a cuirass hook (Fig. 9, b), which seem to be of military origin. The hook is similar to examples from Waddon Hill and London published by Dr. G. Webster [Footnote 1: Archaeological Journal, Vol. 115 (1956), pp. 85, 92; figs. 6, no. 154, and 7, no. 215].
An unusual find is a solid bronze statuette of a couchant lion with open jaws and a thick mane, its fore-paws outstretched and the tail lying over the back (Fig. 9, c). It is 4.2cm. long and 2.9cm. high. The purpose was perhaps votive, since there are no certain signs that it was mounted on furniture or leather as an ornament. There seem to be no close parallels in England; a similar but slightly larger example is in the Musée at Avignon, but this has a vertical hole through it [Footnote 2: H. Rolland, Bronzes Antiquites de Haute Provence (1965), p. 119, no. 230].
Also in April, 1065, R. M. Butler assisted by Mrs. A. Bort, for the Royal Commission, cut a section of the linear ridge already mentioned. Work in earlier years on this ridge and on a shorter ridge on the N.W. side of the trunk road A31, had suggested that these might be lengths of Roman road. The section was immediately west of the cattle track running north from Lake Farm at a point 152½ft. north of the north boundary of the disused railway and 30ft. west of the section cut by N. H. Field in 1959-60 (SY 9959920). The trench was carried down to the natural gravel 4ft. below the modern surface but no metalling or side ditches were found to support the view that the ridge was a Roman road. The edge of a small pit or ditch was found containing a sherd of hand-made, probably Iron Age ‘A’ pottery. Most of a cordoned bowl of a 1st century A.D. type [Footnote 1: Cf. C. F. C. Hawkes and M. R. Hull, Camolodunum (1947), pp. 259-261, form 218 a] was recovered in a yellow clay deposit, apparently water-laid. Several struck flint flakes, a few with secondary working, were found in a brown earthy layer above this clay.
To sum up, it seems likely that at Lake there is a military site of Claudian date. Coins and samian alone consistently limit the period of occupation, while the bronzes can be paralleled from Roman camps and forts of similar date both in England and on the continent. As so far established, pits and gullies seem to be aligned on a N.N.W.-S.S.E. axis. If the latest finds in the eastern part of the area indicate continuous occupation extending over the half-dozen fields that may be involved, then the site may take in 30 to 40 acres or more. It is impossible yet to say what kind of military site there may be here, but a glance at the map shows how usefully placed the position would have been in relation to both Poole and Christchurch Harbours for supplying troops in the hill-fort country of central Dorset and notably at Hod Hill.’

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1967, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1966, 115 (Serial). SDO66.

‘EXCAVATIONS AT LAKE NEAR WIMBORNE, 1966.
The Wimborne Historical Society, assisted by local schools, continued work on the site where occupation of Claudian site is strongly suspected of being of military character (Proceedings, Vol. 87 (1965), pp. 99-101). The intensive arable use of the area where the main finds have so far been made necessitated shifting attention further S. where the strip of ground occupied by the long dismantled railway affords a width of some 50ft. for excavation alongside the former permanent way. The strip in question begins (SY 99699904) where the old railway runs north-eastwards from the new widened road junction of the A 31, Wimborne Road (coming from the East End) and Willett’s Road (from Merley), and is within the municipal boundary of Poole.
Some 250ft. of trenching was done mainly in a line W.S.W.-E.N.E. along the S. side of the former permanent way. The eastern side of the known Roman road (Hamworth-Badbury) was first located, as was hoped, with its E. side ditch; a series of four ditches, lying W.N.W.-E.S-E. and parallel with each other, was then sectioned. It is more than likely that these represent part of a defensive system. The outermost ditch was slight (4½ft. wide) and had on its inner side a gravel bank in which posts had been set. The other three ditches were wider and deeper – the first 6ft. by 3ft., then a 20ft. gap followed by the second 6ft. by 3ft., with only a rib before the last of the three, minimum width 8ft. and depth 3½ft.
Beyond these ditches lay what may have been a causeway on an axis S.S.W.-N.N.E., flanked by shallow side-ditches. Finally at the end of the main excavation trench some indications came to light perhaps of a timber building. Finds were not prolific, but included a stamp (OFLVCC) from a samian cup (form 27) of the pottery Lucceius, shown at Camolodunum [Footnote 1: Hawkes and Hall, Camulodunum (1947), p. 200] to have been operating as early as the reign of Claudius. Work in 1967 will further investigate the ditches and will seek to cheek the existence of a former rampart.
Evidence of occupation of the same period came in the summer from sewer-trenches 300yds. S. (SY 99729877) and also S.S.W. The first site seemed to be a rubbish-pit yielding many sherds of white and cream flagons and of black coarse ware. An unusual find was part of a terra rubra lid [Footnote 2: Op. cit. p. 273, lid no. 20 – Cf. note 3 below]. At the second site, just E. of Wimborne Road, the sewer-trench had cut through an oven of fired clay, about 40ft. long by 1½ft. high, which may have been lying in or close to the W. side-ditch of the Hamworthy-Badbury Roman road approaching from the S.S.W. Pottery from this area included part of a red-coated platter of Gallo-Belgic type [Footnote 3: Ibid. p. 221, form 17]; two amphora handles, on red, the other buff, with early peaked profile [Footnote 4: Ibid. pp. 251-252, form 184]; part of a mortarium [Footnote 5: Ibid. p. 256, form 195a]; and a stamp (OFMVRRANVS) of the samian potter Murranus [Footnote 6: Ibid. p. 198, no. 137, probably Drag. Form 27].’

<3> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1968, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1967, 143 (Serial). SDO67.

‘EXCAVATIONS ON THE ROMAN MILITARY SITE AT LAKE, NEAR WIMBORNE.
Excavations in 1967 threw further important light on the previous year’s discovery of military structures of Claudian date at Lake Farm, 1 mile S.W. of Wimborne SY 99699904 (Proceedings, Vol. 88, p. 115). The site, it will be recalled, lies just S. of the River Stour, S.E. of the point where the Roman Road from Poole Harbour makes a sharp bend before continuing towards the Iron Age hill-fort at Badbury. The work may be summed up as having established the S.W. corner of a fort, together with an unusually –laced entrance and a timber building within. Furthermore, this new information has given a strong lead to the disposition and size of the fort, and the first results of trenching to locate the eastern side of the ditch system have been most promising.

The western side of the fort defences, where sectioned in 1967, comprised a series of ditches and banks with a turf rampart backed by timbering. Details, beginning with the outermost ditch, were as follow: Ditch I: 4 ft. by 2 ft.; Bank I: originally about 3 ft. high and equipped with a palisade; Ditch II: 8 ft. by 3 ft., with fossa fastigiata profile; Bank II: originally about 5 or 6 ft. high and 15 ft. wide, timber-revetted at the front to take spare turf and spoil left over during construction; Ditch III: 12 ft. by approx.. 5 ft.; Rampart with a turf front, originally perhaps 10 ft. high (2½ ft. survived) and backed by a pair of slots parallel with the ditch for a timber superstructure. The middle defence bank (II) of the western side was not carried round the corner and it seems that this potential weakness was remedied by the doubling of the main inner-ditch (III) noted in 1966. The causewayed entrance postulated the previous year was picked up again with the stony metalling in good preservation still bearing wheel-ruts. This entrance was an original feature of the fort and its most unusual placing near the corner must be connected with the special functions of the side-ditches. One had a fastigiated channel apparently to take running water into the camp from a nearby brook and the other, much wider, possibly served to take surface water out of the camp. Only a little more work was possible on the timber building located in 1966, but it is now clear that it had parallel foundation trenches, gravel-filled. There was evidence suggesting that the building was ending in a square room with 12 ft. sides and possessed a verandah along its southern long side.

Following careful ground observation, electrical survey and augering, excavation was started some 500 yds. to the E. in order to identify the eastern defences. Parallel ditches have been found, one 6 ft. by 3 ft., associated with what may be a palisaded bank. It may, therefore, be put forward that there are now good reasons for ascribing to the Lake fort an area of some 42 acres with external dimensions of about 1,750 ft. by 1,300 ft.

Finds in 1967 continued to be of early date and included two coins of Claudius, samian and a fragment of sheet lead.’

<4> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1969, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1968, 171 (Serial). SDO68.

‘EXCAVATIONS ON THE ROMAN MILITARY SITE AT LAKE NEAR WIMBORNE, 1968.
Work in 1968 at the Claudian military site near Wimborne was concentrated on areas opened up in the previous year. At the S.W. corner of the fort, a number of post-pits and slots were identified within the curve of the inner defences. There are indications that the main west rampart was of box-construction, centrally placed post-trenches being located in the 20-ft.-wide turf and soil build-up. An important but still puzzling structural feature was a pit some 13 ft. square, excavation of which has been hindered by drainage difficulty. One side of this pit comprised a bank mainly of clay, lining the water-channel deemed to have led into the fort at that point. Further work is needed but it is already clear that the pit was associated with timbering. Its careful positioning inside the defence-works suggests a vital function.

Within the fort perimeter, where traces of timber buildings had previously been found, parallel stony platforms were uncovered about 10 ft. wide, possibly representing floors.

Finds in 1968 included four coins of Claudius, some 60 sherds of plain and decorated samian, fragments of terra rubra and terra nigra ware, a Gallo-Belgic bowl (Camulodunum, Form 62a) and glass fragments. Of military significance were part of a bronze hinge of body-armour and several pieces of lorica segmentata, identified as such by Dr. Graham Webster following X-ray by the British Museum Laboratory.’

<5> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1970, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1969, 188-189 (Serial). SDO69.

‘EXCAVATIONS ON THE ROMAN MILITARY STATION AT LAKE NEAR WIMBORNE, 1969
Investigation was continued in 1969 inside the S.W. corner of the Roman military site at Lake Farm. Before the results are summarised in the light of discoveries since 1966, it may be noted that Mr. B. R. Hartley has examined the samian recently found and there is reasonable certainty that the Roman occupation at Lake extended from the middle forties until the sixties. During this period, it is now possible to discern two, probably three, major phases.

The Roman ‘pit’ located in 1968 and lying inside the defences, and between them and the aqueduct and causeway, has yielded a complicated story:-
Phase I: a timber-lined tank, 20 ft. (6.09 m.) square and 4 ft. (1.22 m.) deep, was dug into the subsoil, aligned with the aqueduct and causeway entering the camp from the south. It was sited well inside the original defences, Ditch I and Bank I, with which it was apparently contemporary.
Phase II: the first tank was reduced to a much smaller volume, Tank II (8 ft. by 6 ft. – 2.43 m. by 1.82 m.), of similar construction and likewise aligned with the aqueduct, but with a gravel base instead of the previous cobbled ‘floor’. The west half of Tank I was filled in with packed gravel to support the turf and soil rampart now added as the innermost feature of the new defence system. A number of posts set in pits were associated with both Tank II and rampart, while some posts had been given a massive stoney build-up inside the former Tank I. Thus the improved defences in depth, added within the original Ditch I and Bank I, can be ascribed to this phase; Ditch II and Bank II; Ditch III (doubled at corner) and Rampart; plus Tank II.

Phase III: the defences were razed at the S.W. corner and the ditches were filled by the levelling of the banks and rampart. Tank II also had spoil thrown into it after a revetment bank had been piled up against the aqueduct along the line of its junction with the tank. This revetment was composed of mixed grey clay, soil and gravel, while thicker grey clay remained in some quantity on the stoney platform that had been the floor of the second tank. There seems to have been an intention, therefore, of keeping the water-supply flowing northwards despite the demolition of the corner-defences. Was this to serve a final smaller fort in that direction?

A pointer to the terminal date for Phase II is provided by the samian from the deliberate refill of Tank II. In the upper debris Claudian and Neronian sherds occurred in approximately equal proportions; in the lower, fragments of Neroniakn date only. It follows that Phase II ended later than A.D. 54. How much later it is not yet possible to say. But, over the area of the abandoned defences, Neronian samian was more frequently picked up than Claudian and included types recorded in the Boudiccan debris level at Colchester and in the ditch at the recently identified fort at Cirencester.

To sum up. The following sequence of events in suggested by work at Lake since 1966 and the conclusions can largely be equated with the results of excavation in other parts of this extensive site in 1959-60, 1962-3 and 1965. Early in the Dorset campaign of the forties, a large temporary camp lasted long enough to be provided with an aqueduct serving one tank (at least) capable of holding some 10,000 gallons of water. A semi-permanent establishment (stores or base fortress ?) was then built, with an improved defence system around an area of about 40 acres. This effort involved an awkward but successful remodelling of the first tank and there is more than a hint of unexpected decisions being resolutely carried out. Finally, not earlier than the middle fifties, the southern defences were filled in and a small fort was left, it is surmised, in the S.W. corner and remained in service during the early sixties.’

<6> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1971, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1970, 151 (Serial). SDO70.

<7> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1972, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1971, 161 (Serial). SDO71.

‘EXCAVATIONS ON THE ROMAN MILITARY STATION AT LAKE NEAR WIMBORNE, 1971

Excavation was carried on some 450 feet (140 m.) E.N.E. of the area in which there was identified in 1970 a military ditch attributed to the last phase of the Claudio-Neronian occupation. After a resistivity survey, what may be the east side of this perimeter ditch around the small final fort was located and sectioned. The ditch was 3 feet deep (1 m.), shallower than previously noted, and it possessed an external berm that increased its width of 7 ft. (2 m.) to an effective 10 ft. (3 m.). There was a residual turf and soil rampart on its west side. These defences cut through flint alignments and pits (latrines ?) belonging to the main phase.

In the 1972 season the excavation of this complex and intriguing site will be directed by Dr. Graham Webster of the University of Birmingham.’

<8> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1973, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1972, 76 (Serial). SDO72.

‘INTERIM REPORT ON EXCAVATIONS AT LAKE FARM NEAR WIMBORNE, 1972.
A trial excavation was carried out at Whitsun in two areas 20 m. by 6 m. and 20 m. by 5 m. on the site of the disused railway. In the western area, that nearest the modern road junction to Corfe Mullen, a round flint-based bread oven was found, under which was an earlier oven based on clay, both of mediaeval date. At the western end of this area the presence of some 60 cm. of black garden soil under the railway ballast suggested that cottages might have fronted the road here in the Middle Ages. Below this soil, gravel metalling was encountered where the Roman road alignment was expected, but mediaeval pottery persisted to its surface. Resources did not permit further development here.

The main effort was directed at the eastern area. Lighter-coloured subsoil was found below about 45 cm. of mediaeval plough-soil, and careful levelling and cleaning here showed what seemed to be construction trenches and lines about a metre apart at right-angles to each other; these features coincided with differential areas, suggesting the presence of rooms or floor joists. Below these, at one point only, a construction trench was noted on a different alignment.

At the west end of the area a square tank or pit about 5 m. by 4.5 m. was found from which only about 40 cm. depth of filling has yet been removed. Most of the finds were recovered from this filling; these include small fragments of fine coloured glass, samian including the stamp of LICINUS (c. A.D. 45-60), terra nigra and rubra and imitations, and a variety of other coarse wares, mainly the regional hand-made pottery. Objects of iron and bronze were in poor state, but it was possible to recognize several copper coins which are probably copies of Claudian assess, and two items of horse equipment – a small tinned roundel with niello inlay and the knob of a pendant.’

<9> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1974, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1973, 86-87 (Serial). SDO73.

‘INTERIM REPORT ON EXCAVATIONS AT LAKE FARM NEAR WIMBORNE, 1973
Our second season lasted three weeks, but in very difficult weather conditions. It was so hot and dry that part of the site had to be abandoned in the third week owing to the impossibility of seeing colour differences in the soil. … Work in the two areas begun last year was developed. The western area, nearest the road, produced a number of features only two of which appear to have any relationship. It is an area devoid of buildings but has many pits, trenches and gulleys which cannot be understood in the small area available. At the west end of the site there is a perceptible thickening of the thick black soil that produces medieval pottery. This is clearly the garden of a building which must have been on the road. A ditch running north-east to south-west now seems to be the limit of this garden, but Victorian pottery persists almost to the natural gravel. This raises a doubt over the identification last year of a gravel spread as the Roman road.

The other area to the east has now shown evidence of four distinct periods. The second of these consists of the defensive ditch of a fort, running diagonally across the area. The ditch was originally about 5.0 m. wide and 2. 0 m. deep with sides well cut to an angle of 40º. There is at present no evidence of any other ditch or rampart belonging to this defensive system, sot it is impossible to be sure to which side of the ditch the fort lies. The ditch had cut into two Phase I features (gullies or post-pits) but time did not allow their precise nature to be determined. The ditch had been filled in, well consolidated, and the ground levelled off and lowered for a structure of Phase 3, consisting of a timber building in alignment with our trench. This building has at present only one satisfactory wall, but, last year, indications of floor joists were noted. A large shallow pit was cut into it, to the east, and this is now seen to be on the site of earlier but smaller pits, of which nine have been excavated. Phase 4 reverts to the diagonal, a similar alignment of the Phase 2 ditch, but there are also several post-holes with stone packing. This is the area, at the east end, at which work could not proceed, so we cannot even speculate on the nature of the remains.

The finds this year have been rather poor, except for the glass, which includes fragments of a fine blue flagon. Two of the coins can be identified as Claudian (one probably RIC, 84).

The site remains threatened by the Wimborne by-pass and this raises a serious doubt as to the propriety of continuing the excavation on the present modest scale. The need for a large and detailed investigation has been established.’

<10> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1975, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume V (East), 51-52 (Monograph). SDO129.

‘(69) ROMAN PITS, DITCHES AND OCCUPATION DEBRIS (around 998991), indicating mid 1st-century military activity and suggesting the presence of a large fort or supply-base, have been found at Lake Gates, S.W. of Wimborne. Limited excavations carried out almost annually since 1959 provide evidence of early Roman occupation at a number of points, some of them in the neighbouring parishes of Corfe Mullen and Poole. (fn. 1) The site, on either side of a dismantled railway, occupies a low gravel terrace (65 ft. above O.D.) on the S. side of the Stour valley, overlooked by high ground on the south. The Roman road from Badbury Rings to Hamworthy passes along the W. side of the site and curves N.W. to cross the broad floodplain of the river (Dorset II, 530). A 1st-century kiln some ½ mile to S.W. is likely to be associated (CORFE MULLEN (24), Dorset II, 600).
Excavations along the track of the former railway, from 99709904 eastwards, have disclosed evidence of ditches, pits, and of what are held to be the foundations of a timber building and of a timber-lined water tank. Finds include Claudian and later samian ware, one fragment with the stamp (OFLVCC), Claudian coins, terra rubra, terra nigra, a Gallo-Belgic bowl, a bronze body-armour hinge, and several pieces of lorica segmentata. To the N. around 99809918, on either side of the modern Wimborne-Dorchester road, excavations have revealed at least six roughly rectangular rubbish pits (the largest 6 ft. by 7 ft., by 5 ft. deep), also post-holes and a gully, possibly the remains of a building. The fillings of the pits yielded much pottery of the mid-1st century, including locally manufactured Durotrigian bowls, terra rubra, lamps, mortaria and amphorae. Among the samian ware were two pieces with stamps of the potters AQUITANUS and LICINUS of La Graufesenque. In the pits, and scattered near by, were two coins of Augustus and several of Claudius. Metal objects included a bronze buckle and strap-loop of military type, a bronze statuette of a lion, a bronze animal-headed terminal, an iron crowbar and nails. Fragments of glassware, bone gaming counters, bracelets and shale were also found.
Further evidence of early Roman occupation—pottery, glass, scrap-bronze, a cuirass hook—was revealed in trial trenches cut at two points across a low bank or ridge which extends eastwards from a point N. of Lake Farm (99959919). To the S., in Corfe Mullen, finds of comparable date have come from a sewertrench. Beside the Roman road (99629884) an oven of fired clay was found and, in the vicinity, early pottery including a GalloBelgic platter, amphora handles and a stamp of the samian potter MURRANUS. To the E. (99739877) what appears to have been a rubbish pit yielded sherds of terra rubra, of white and cream flagons, and of coarse ware.
On the evidence of the finds, especially the samian ware, occupation of the site appears to have lasted from c. A.D. 45 to c. A.D. 60. (J.R.S., LIII (1963), 149, 166; Dorset Procs., 87 (1965), 99–101; 88 (1966), 115; 89 (1967), 143; 90 (1968), 171; 91 (1969), 188–9).’

<11> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1981, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1979, 139 (Serial). SDO79.

‘POOLE (SY 998990). Excavations by I. P. Horsey and K. Jarvis on this important early-Roman military site investigated the defences previously located by Mr. N. H. Field and Dr. G. Webster. The excavation of areas I and II revealed a sequence of extra-mural features, fort defences and timber buildings behind the defences. Area III, located 200 m north-east of areas I and II, revealed further timber structures. Areas I and II were located with the intention of giving a complete sequence across the putative defences close to the south-west corner of the fort as indicated by the earlier excavations. The following sequence across the defences of the fort was excavated: (i) extra-mural features (to phases) including an oven and possible water-leat, (ii) a single V-shaped military ditch measuring 3.6 m wide and 1.6 m deep, front at a distance of 6.4 m by a regular flat-bottomed ditch measuring 1.2 m wide and 0.9 m deep aligned parallel to the main ditch, (iii) an area with few features indicative of the position of the rampart prior to its deliberate back-filling into the ditch, (iv) a row of shallow pits, (v) an intervallum road, (vi) timber-slots representing the plan of part of a pair of barrack blocks measuring 10 m wide. Three archaeological periods were reflected in the pit groups: I – pre-dating the military defences; II – contemporary with the use of the barrack blocks, and III – following the demolition of the barrack blocks.

Area III excavations revealed two structural periods on the same alignment as those of areas I and II and a later period of pits. The earliest (period IIA) consisted of the corner of a timber building and two pits. In period IIB a large range of timber buildings 9.8 m wide has been provisionally identified as the praetorium. A nearby trial trench revealed a lead tank set in clay and a layer of clay blocks 9 m wide. In period III 10 pits cut the demolished building of period II.

There is still insufficient evidence to delimit the size of the fort but the present work suggests a large fort perhaps half or full legionary size, with one main structural period. The date range of the site provisionally extends from soon after the conquest until c. AD 65. The finds include Durotrigian wares, products from the Corfe Mullen kiln and a wide range of improted pottery, as well as military bronzes.’

<12> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1982, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1980, 88 (Serial). SDO80.

‘LAKE ROMAN FORTRESS
A fluxgate magnetometer survey undertaken by the Ancient Monuments Laboratory in 1979 succeeded in locating the south-east corner of the fortress and in defining the line of the eastern defences, so providing a much firmer basis for delimiting the site and estimating its acreage – c. 32 acres.

The analysis of brick and tile from the site suggests the possibility of a military bath-house located beyond the south-west corner of the fortress.’

<13> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1982, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1981, 123 (Serial). SDO81.

‘LAKE FORTRESS, POOLE (SY 998990).
A fluxgate magnetometer survey (by A. David of the AM Laboratory) succeeded in defining the south and south-east defences, so enabling a more accurate assessment of the size of this vexillation fortress – c. 29 acres (area within ditches). A small research excavation (for the Borough of Poole of 60 m2 was designed to test one of the internal linear features recorded by the survey. This proved to be a regular V-shaped ditch of the military period measuring c. 1 m deep by c. 1 m wide, cutting the foundations of a timber building apparently belonging to the main phase of occupation. For earlier work see Dorset Proceedings, Vol. 101, 1979, p. 130.’

<14> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1989, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1988, 145 (Serial). SDO88.

‘OBSERVATIONS DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PIPE TRENCH AT LAKE FARM – AN INTERIM NOTE
Commencing in July 1988 a piped sewer was constructed from an area of Corfe Mullen known as Cogdean Elms, to north of the Wimborne by-pass near Lake Farm. The trench ran some 35 m through the edge of the scheduled area of the Lake Farm Roman Fort – Dorset County Ancient Monument No. 736 (SY 998992).

The trenching within the scheduled area was conducted under close archaeological supervision but no features or finds were in evidence. However, the adjoining field to the east revealed extensive Roman activity. Irregular ‘stepped’ features were interpreted as Roman quarrying – probably for roads within the fort. There were also several large pits, up to 2.5 m deep.

A considerable quantity of pottery was recovered from these features including many sherds of amphorae, decorated Samian and Corfe Mullen flagons. A bronze brooch was also found.

Poole Museums Service are grateful to the developers, Galliford Sears of Banstead, Surrey, who co-operated fully during the work and funded the excavations.’

<15> Prehistoric Society, 1964, Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 30, 352-355 (Serial). SDO17204.

Record last edited

Mar 24 2025 12:47PM