Monument record MWX940 - Late Iron Age settlement, Carter's Tile Works, Hamworthy, Poole

Excavations in 1926-33 by H P Smith at the Carter's Tile Works site produced significant quantities of Later Iron Age pottery of 1st century BC date. This included a significant proportion of imported Armorican pottery and sherds from at least three Dressel 1 amphorae. The high proportion of imported wares is unusual and difficult to explain, but does not provide conclusive evidence for a 'port' at Hamworthy at this date. A number of features including ditches, pits, hearths and other features were found, but it is unclear whether these were associated with the late Iron Age pottery or with the Roman material also found on the site. The stratigraphic location of the Iron Age material has not survived.

Excavation by H P Smith in 1926-33 and 1949, along with finds made during extension work and gravel digging, indicated occupation over at least 6 acres from the W end of the tile works. The main features consisted of 3 oval pits and twelve ditches. Most of these contained Iron Age 'C' pottery, but at least one pit and one ditch appeared to be of Roman date. Some dish-shaped areas were discovered and in the main these were thought to be working areas rather than hut sites, Roman sherds were found in these areas. The site is lacking in Roman structural evidence and only a few pieces of roof and flue tiles were found. Many fragments of shale suggest an industry of some sort, although no flint tools have been found. The pottery uncovered has been mainly of Iron Age date but some New Forest ware and other fourth century types were found. "A number of pre-Imperial coins from the Mediterranean" have been found in the hinterland of Poole Harbour and thought to "indicate pre-Roman trade". Imported early Roman wares including Gallo-Belgic terra nigra and rubra ring-neck flagons, colour-coated beakers and pre-Flavian Samian have been found in the area. The only two coins from the site are of Claudius of AD 41-2. "This material point to Claudian occupation, although the best evidence for a military stores base is the complete Niedermendig lava slave or donkey-mill from the site, in the British Museum" (SZ 09 SW 13). <3> The situation, and early pottery, from Hamworthy suggests that this may have been a supply base. <2> SZ 003906. Three inhumation burials were found in 1974 during excavations in advance of development south-west of Hamworthy Power Station. The only associated finds were four iron sandal studs; pottery from the same levels included 3rd century coarse wares. There may be further burials to the south-east. The remainder of the area examined produced quantities of 1st and 2nd century Samian ware, black-burnished wares and considerable amounts of briquetage. No structural evidence was located. The burials and scatter of material found suggest that the area is peripheral to the main area of occupation, which was probably industrial and which probably lay to the south-west. <4> SZ 00309032. About 100 early Roman pottery sherds were found by Mr R Timms in the garden of 40 Blandford Road, Hamworthy. Gravel, thought to be the Roman road from Hamworthy to Badbury (RR4d) was also found. The finds are in Poole Museum (Acc. No. 1978.113). <5>

Record last edited

Mar 2 2022 12:33PM