More information : R.B. cemetery found on east cliff at c.300ft 1851. (1)
At a spot c.300ft high on the E-side of the island and
adjacent to the cliff edge nearly 200 graves were found in the
autumn of 1851 when topsoil was removed prior to quarrying. The
graves were from 1-20 yds apart, and abaout 4ft below the
surface. The sides of the graves and the ends, were of stone
slabs, with another slab in each case laid upon the top. In some
were found R.B. vessels, and occasionally coins. A stone coffin
was also found, which is now in the chapel at VERNE.
These interments were found at the highest part of the
island. (b)
There is an inaccuracy here, for the VERNE is the highest part
of the island at 500 ft whereas Mr NEALE gives the cemetery
height as 300ft (Auth 1)
[Reference (b) checked] (2)
Quarrying on the East side of Portland is entirely recent
except for the area near HMS OSPREY where the washing away of
lower layers has caused a general land slip. Probably an
admiralty quarry. (3)
"The spot is I believe upward of 300ft above the level of
the sea...about a twelvemonth since a quantity of graves were
discovered I should think numbering nearly 100...the surface
being level [ie ground surface]... the head [of the bodies in
general] lying nearly north. In most cases the graves were
larger than to the knee - the legs must have been doubled up
or amputated. In some of the graves were a black jar and
red saucer...a few copper coins found in the earth with
figures of some of the Roman Emperors. Likewise a large stone
coffin 7'6" long with lid weighing about 1 ton - it contained
the remains of a man and woman. A drip hole near to many of the
graves had been filled with pieces of stone mixed up with bones
of birds and animals which appear to be sacrificial.
There were likewise four pieces of stone neatly joined together
making a square of about 4ft with a groove about 2" wide cut
round near to the edge - it has the appearance of an altar. This
and the coffin are placed in front of the prison chapel"
"I can find no traces of a road or enclosure..... It is
remarkable that they had not been discovered before as close to
the spot - the stone for building ST PAULS - and many other
buildings were quarried from - the cemetery if I may so call it
was on the East side of the Island within a short distance from
the edge of the rock or cliff and the highest part of the island."
[....= Broken Quotes. - = original punctuation] (4,5)
[Area centred SY 69797304] [sited from OS 1/2,500 1864]
Since the 300ft contour is no longer significant and the fact
that the stone was for the breakwater coupled with the use of
convict labour it can be confidently stated that the quarry is
the one marked "Admiralty Quarry" on OS 1/2500 1864. I thought
the stone for ST PAULS came from the west side of the Island.(c)
The area has been quarried out to a greater extent than that
shown on OS 1/2,500 1864 and whose boundary is delineated on
OS 6" sheet. No trace of antiquity was found.
Mr NEALE probably estimated his height without a plan for
consultation. As he was on top of the plateau with the cliff
falling away from him to the East and the land rising but
gently to the north it is not a serious misstatement to say
he was on the highest part of the Island - I obtained this
impression myself. Topographically his description of the site
is satisfied by the area delineated.
The coffin and "altar" were not located during field
investigation. The quarry site for ST PAULS proved to be
controversial. T2 appears to be an incomplete reference to
Mr NEALE'S letters. [This site is referred to on SY 67 SE 4 and SY 67 SE ?(Dorset 58 SE 11)]. (6)
"The Grove. Inhumation burials and pits were found in 1851
in the Breakwater Quarries (now playing fields) opposite the
Clifton Hotel near the Convict Prison (now H.M. Borstal
Institution) some 350ft above sea level (about 697725)."
Roman coins found ranged from 1st cent. to 4th cent. (7)
An account of the finds by the Prison Governor, Mr Clifton. (8)
|