Find Spot record MDO7087 - Neolithic and Bronze Age occupation, Arne

A spread of flints found on a natural gravel bank in the floodplain of the River Frome during work on the Purbeck to Southampton pipeline in 1989. Wetter, peat-filled areas adjacent to the bank were interpreted as probable former river channels. A linear gully on the bank had worked flint and burnt stone in its filling; it could not be determined whether this was a ditch or of natural origin. An area of burnt stones was also found on the bank. In addition to the flint scatter, finds included Bronze Age pottery and fragments of worked shale, one possibly a piece of an armlet. Interpreted as evidence of Neolithic occupation becoming more intense in the Bronze Age, possibly seasonal.

Flints found on possible river gravels these flints were found with flint of Bronze Age date. The flints are interpreted as evidence that the area was occupied in the prehistoric times, beginning in the Neolithic and intensifying in the Bronze age. The use of the gravel bank may be related to season-specific occupation. (1)

Record last edited

Jun 9 2021 4:30PM