Monument record MDO6668 - Romano-British settlement at Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth

A Romano-British settlement consisting of a stone building and finds of 2nd to 4th century pottery. A possible Iron Age burial was found, a Durotrigian coin and a coin of Ptolemy c285 BC.

A Romano-British settlement exists on the seaward side of Jordan Hill, centred SY 702819, and pottery and other remains have been revealed over many years by erosion of the cliff-face. An occupation layer, probably 4th century, with tile fragments and sherds of the 2nd century and later, was sectioned in a low scarp above the foreshore from SY 70198195 to 70248194. A pebbled floor on a base of larger stones, with fragments of amphorae, was seen in 1935, and between 1945 and 1949, Miss Keef observed a dark occupation level with rubbish ditches containing native RB pottery, New Forest ware, limestone paving slabs and a fragment of tegula. The north wall of a substantial stone building was excavated in 1969 at SY 70158197, with 3rd to 4th century pottery sealed beneath a rubble and mortar floor. The rest of the buildings had been eroded away. A grave found between 1835 and 1845, thought to have been uncovered by the landslips at Furzey Cliff, contained a skeleton with a gold finger ring, a model bronze battle-axe and a silver coin of Ptolemy, c 285 BC. Other finds include a silver coin of the Durotriges (Mack 317) discovered at SY 70148196, 1st to 3rd century coins found on the cliff in 1925 and RB sherds from the stream at SY 70328201. The remains of a structure believed by Medhurst to have been a quay connected with the settlement were formerly visible at low tide in Bowleaze Cove. (1-7)

Record last edited

Jun 26 2024 2:50PM