Proc Dorset Natur Hist Archaeol Soc 125

Artefacts of a Late Palaeolithic aspect have in the past been recorded from various sites on the Island of Portland, but have never previously been found and studied in a late Pleistocene context without a substantial admixture of later lithic material. Limited excavation of a site in the north of the island recently produced a sizeable assemblage with some interesting but atypical characteristics, reminiscent of finds made nearby at the end of the nineteenth century.

A watching brief and limited excavation in 2000--01 revealed medieval refuse pit activity and also several post-medieval artefacts, including a late-seventeenth-century Bellarmine stone jug. Includes

Investigation of the remains of a timber structure and scatter of nails on the northern shore of the Arne peninsula, identified as a post-medieval quay, probably of eighteenth- or nineteenth-century date, and associated barge debris.

Description of seven sherds from a medium-walled vessel, discovered during archaeological investigations of deposits found during construction of a garage. The deposits included two pits, both containing fragments of vessels and cremated bone.

Description of features and finds dating from the Bronze Age to the post-medieval period, recovered from evaluation and excavation of land near the farm. These included part of a ring-ditch of probable Bronze Age date, along with what appeared to be pyre debris; a pit containing fragments of antler and burnt flint; worked flint representing a mixture of Mesolithic and Neolithic/Early Bronze Age industries; a quarry pit containing sherds of Late Roman pottery; fragments of a quernstone; a group of ditches and pits of Late Saxon date containing a small assemblage of tenth- to eleventh-century pottery; at least three pits containing pottery of medieval date; and the footings of a post-medieval building. Includes

An interim note on the discovery and findspot, with a preliminary note on the composition of the hoard, its context, and comparison with other hoards from the area.

evidence of Middle to Late Bronze Age agrarian activity plus some signs of Late Iron Age and Roman presence