Monument record MDO8395 - Medieval burial, Worth Matravers

Medieval inhumation and monumental slab associated with a possible anchorite cell or shrine, or a leper's grave.

Part of a monumental slab of Purbeck marble with the relief of an ornamented cross on a stepped base, was ploughed up in 1957 about 400 yards north-north-east of St Aldhelm's Head, at approx. SY 96187588. The ornamented slab is of a well-known type and possibly dates from 1250-1275 AD. A small excavation on the site by Brown and Calkin failed to recover the missing piece, but exposed a stone foundation, 6ft 6ins square, immediately adjoining; a scatter of rubble surrounding suggested a small building. Further excavation revealed a stone-lined grave, 3ft below the spot where the slab was found, containing an extended female inhumation together with iron rivets and traces of wood which were suggestive of a wooden grave cover. The grave may have been that of a local anchoress, and the stone foundation either the remains of her cell, or a shrine erected after her death; alternatively she may have been a leper. The monumental slab has been placed in St. Nicholas's Church, Worth Matravers (see SY 97 NE 48) <2-3>

Record last edited

Mar 13 2023 2:31PM