Find Spot record MDO5453 - Paleolithic implements from the Railway Ballast Pit, Corfe Mullen

At least 180 Paleolithic implements recorded from the 'Railway Ballast Pit'.

SY 993 984 Railway Ballast Pit. At least 180 implements, including 135 handaxes and 21 flakes. A record from J. B. Calkin on OS record card. {1}(Area SY 992983) Many finds in this pit, the "Railway Ballast Hole", including Palaeolithic. Palaeolithic implements have been found over a number of years on the "Sleight platform" near Corfe Mullen. There are over 100 specimens from this source in the Marsden Collection at Dorset County Museum, most of which probably came from the "Ballast Hole" pit. <1> Corfe Mullen Four gravel pits together produced at least 270 Palaeoliths. <2> Description of the geology of the "Sleight platform" and analysis of the finds. The Ballast Hole is known to have produced at least 180 implements, and specimens are known from three other localities. It is suggested that an actual camping site was present at the Cogdean site. <2> <6> Both Ballast Hole and Cogdean gravel pits are deserted and overgrown except for the remains of a wartime camp at Cogdean. No surface finds were made during investigation. <4> Catalogue of sites and finds: SY 975985. Corfe Mullen general. Over 100 artifacts including at least 75 handaxes. SY 994982. Cogdean Pit. (Note: This grid reference does not agree with Calkin's siting (auth.1). Over 100 artifacts including 69 handaxes and 30 flakes. SY 993980. Harvey's Road gravel pit. Three handaxes. SY 993984. Railway Ballast Pit. At least 180 implements, including 135 handaxes and 21 flakes. SY 987977. Sleight general. One handaxe. SY 990830. Sleight - Kettle's Pit. (Note: The grid reference quoted falls in Corfe Castle parish and is obviously erroneous). Ten handaxes and two flakes. The finds are now located in a number of museums including Aylesbury, Bedford & Poole Museums, the Natural Science Society Museum, Bournemouth, the British Museum, the Geological Museum, the Red House Museum, Christchurch, the Dorset County Museum, and the Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, Cambridge, as well as private collections. <5>

Record last edited

Dec 16 2022 10:28AM