I visited Culverwell in 2005 and saw within the shed. My photos were of poor quality due to the light conditions and I’ve refrained from posting any – until now. It seems apparent that not many amateurs get to be shown this site so my efforts must be better than none.
This is the actual Culverwell after which the site is named.
This building covers the site of the mesolithic encampment.
The sign which gives details of the site.
Sun 25 July & Sun 1 Aug 14.00-16.30
Culverwell Mesolithic Site, Portland Bill Road, Portland
A guided tour of the preserved Mesolithic site, showing and explaining the visible remains and artefacts and how Mesolithic
man lived.
Association for Portland Archaeology – 01305 861576
[email protected]
www.gallica.co.uk/celts/portland.htm
Event part of the Festival of British Archaeology – 17th July to 1st August 2010
I have finally got round to visiting this site on foot. I have deleted my previous photos and comment as they weren’t much cop anyway.
As can be seen there isn’t much to see, the actual excavation being under the shelter of the small, low wooden building. Having said that this is a very important site, nationally as well as locally. Apart from the recently excavated Doghouse hill, this is one of the oldest settlement sites in Dorset.
Several hundred feet west of the site can be seen the well after which the site takes its name. The well is edged with high quality local stone and is held to have been in use since time out of mind. A narrow gully takes its outflow to the cliff where it flows in to the sea as a waterfall.
Details of site on Pastscape
SY 685 694. Extensive excavations since 1967 in the fields NE of Culver Well have revealed a complex Mesolithic habitation site including a shell-midden, cooking pits, hearths and possible structural features. Charcoal from the base of the thickest part of the midden gave a C-14 date of 7150+-135 bp (BM – 473). Charcoal from a hearth 10 ft away from this midden gave a date of 7101+- 97 bp (BM – 960). (All reports are interim). (1-14)
Page showing Mesolithic dwellings reconstructed as part of the site.
