Monument record MDO6581 - Roman occupation debris from Kings Barrow, Portland

Finds of a quern, human remains and pottery may indicate a Roman occupation site.

From KING BARROW and in the DORSET COSUNTY MUSEUM a quern stone found close to one or two beehive cells though to be BHUT HOLES. A mortar and flint balls (mulling stones) found close to one or two beehive cells. Found June 4 1898. (1) Corn [Carbonised grain] from a beehive chamber at KING BARROW. Found in a pot close to human remains.(2) KING BARROW was quarried about 1890-1900. There were considerable finds, I believe, which were taken to Dorset County Museum. I know no details (3) The curator of Dorset County Museum could not be contacted at the time of field investigation. The area has been quarried out and no trace of antiquity was found. The name king barrow points to the probability of a barrow of that name being situated there before quarrying began. The site is on a platform. (4) Two pear-shaped jars in Portland Museum, Iron Age 'C' or Roman, come from King Barrow quarry, and a wheel-made jar of Romano-British, grey ware and two 2nd century dishes are probably from the same site. (5)

Record last edited

Dec 24 2021 11:03AM