Monument record MDO41881 - Sub-Roman cemetery at Whithill Quarry Extension, Lillington, Sherborne
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Summary
A sub-Roman cemetery excavated in an area where human remains had been discovered in 2010 during an extension of the quarry. Twenty graves were exposed, all inhumations aligned SW-NE and most skeletons in supine, extended positions with heads to the SW. The remains were not in ideal condition but osteological analysis on the majority revealed a mixed population of children and adults of both genders, showing signs of poor health. Radiocarbon dating indicated the cemetery was in use between around AD 560-646 and AD585-681 and strontium isotopic analysis suggested that the people were local.
Map
Type and Period (2)
Full Description
In about 1840 several inhumations were found within a mile of the site of the gold armillae hoard in Lillington parish. The skeletons were laid side by side. <5> These burials may have been part of this cemetery.
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SDO14916 Unpublished document: Monteith, J. 2013. Whithill Quarry, Lillington, Sherborne, Dorset. Human remains discovery November 2010.
- <2> SDO15236 Unpublished document: Fadden, A. 2013. Whithill Quarry, Lillington, Sherborne, Dorset. Archaeological Geophysics.
- <3>XY SDO16076 Unpublished document: Falys, S and Socha-Paszkiewicz, A. 2018. A sub-Roman cemetery at Whithill Quarry Extension, Lillington, Sherborne, Dorset. [Mapped feature: #360497 ]
- <4> SDO18643 Serial: Royal Archaeological Institute. 1850. The Archaeological Journal 7. 7. 65.
- <5> SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 199571.
Finds (1)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
Location
| Grid reference | ST 6290 1360 (point) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ST61SW |
| Civil Parish | Lillington; Dorset |
| Unitary Authority | Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: ST 61 SW 11
- Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 199571
Record last edited
Oct 4 2022 4:59PM