Proc Dorset Natur Hist Archaeol Soc 119

This articles traces the change in attitude of one Dorset landowner, the Duchy of Cornwall, from that of opposition to any attempt to release its land around Dorchester at the turn of the century, through that of passive and rather unwilling supplier of land for others to build on, to present-day developer. It is argued the Duchy has made a positive contribution to the needs of the West Dorset Rural Development Area, and at the same time has observed high standards of rural conservation.

Two skulls, said to be those of black servants, were on display in the last century at Waddon House, Portesham and Bettiscombe Manor, Dorset. In this paper, an osteological appraisal of the Waddon skull is presented and the earlier study of the Bettiscombe skull summarised and discussed. The former was identified as a male caucasoid and the latter as a normal European, probably female. The attributions, myths and stories surrounding the two skulls and their respective histories are described and the reasons for the display of the skulls in the context of religious belief, superstition and antiquarian interest are explored. The research failed to provide any certain conclusions for the date or provenance of the two skulls. A contribution on `Deposition at the Dorset County Museum' is provided by Peter J Woodward (57).

Sundials were the commonest means of telling the time until the introduction of mechanical clocks. From the Norman Conquest until about 1550, sundials were designed to measure `seasonal hours' which varied in length depending on the time of year. The first part of this paper discusses the history and function of such dials. The second part is a catalogue, based on a survey undertaken in 1996--7, of all known medieval sundials in Dorset.

Draws together all known information concerning excavations on this site and summarises the results of an earthwork survey carried out in November 1996. A tentative sequence and interpretation suggests prehistoric activity at the site spanned the LBA to RB periods; the site is perhaps best interpreted as an enclosed IA/RB hilltop settlement, which may have re-used the site of a LBA barrow cemetery.

Describes an experiment by Bournemouth University students to design and construct a figure of similar dimensions to that of the Cerne Abbas Giant, using only basic (and completely non-invasive) techniques. A female figure of similar dimensions was created using polythene sheeting. Gives general observations on the Giant itself and on the results of the experiment.

Contributions from Gregory Stevens Cox (213--14) and R N R Peers (214--15).