Monument record MDO4501 - Quarry at Puckmore Field, Motcombe

A field with evidence of previous quarrying activity. Of uncertain date. It has been suggested that this quarry was used in the building of Shaftesbury Abbey, but this seems unlikely.

A field called "Puckmore" has evidence of many deep surface diggings. It has been suggested that this quarry was used in the building of Shaftesbury Abbey, but this seems unlikely. (1) (Area centred ST 860245) This field 'Puckmore' has been a very large and ancient quarry. Five stones of the local greensand stand 4ft. approximately out of the ground in a hedge (at A. ST 86222445). Mr. Chambers, who has seen them thinks that they are upcasts from the quarry, but Mrs. Harfield thinks that the person who put them in the hedge "Felt that they were still cult-active' as otherwise the gaps between them would have been stopped better. Mr. Chambers suggests that the quarry is that used in the building of Shaftesbury Abbey, which so far has not been located. (1) The area is grass covered with many deep surface diggings. The stones are rectangular blocks set on end in a hedge and have a height of 1.3m. X an width of 0.5m. X 0.3m. Thick. One of them is used as a gate-post. There is no indication of prehistoric influence and as Chambers suggests they are probably upcast from the quarry. (2) ST 86222444. A group of four or five stones upended in a hedge by the Shaftesbury-Mere Road at Motcombe were seen by Mrs. Harfield in 1953-4. Mr. Teulon Porter suggests that they may have come from a chambered barrow. (3)

Record last edited

Aug 1 2023 2:55PM