EDO493 - Whitcombe Hill, Whitcombe; excavation 1963 to 1967

Excavation of the site was carried out from 1963 to 1967. A rectangular building 27 ft by 22 ft, with a scatter of pottery (1st or 2nd to 4th century), roof tiles, limestone slabs and painted wall plaster, was uncovered at 71138807. Flint foundations with remains of an earth and chalk floor and three infant burials were found at 71118807. Three inhumation burials were discovered at 71008803. The later excavations in 1966-7 uncovered evidence of a native Durotrigian settlement of pre-Roman origin. Inhumation burials,pottery and various jewellery and weaons of that period were found. The stone relief, which depicts a bearded horseman, thought to be of Roman date, later 2nd or 3rd century, and may be either a tombstone to an auxilary cavalryman or a dedication to a Thraco-Danubian hero-god. Coins suggest occupation of the site into the late 4th century at least.