'Anciently A Manor': the medieval manor at Lower Putton Lane, Chickerell

Join Dr Clare Randall to find out more about the findings from excavations at Lower Putton Lane carried out by Context One Heritage and Archaeology during 2016–2017 revealed a significant part of a manorial settlement. From the 12th century onward, the manor consisted of a sequence of well-appointed buildings, with evidence for the daily lives and wider connections of the inhabitants. This lecture explores the importance of the buildings, the finds and environmental evidence for understanding the medieval landscape of Dorset, the manor’s origins, development, connections and decline, as well as giving an insight into the lives of the people who lived there.

Dr Clare Randall is an archaeologist who specialises in human and animal remains who has worked in the commercial, academic, museum and community sectors of archaeology. Her particular interests are in understanding agricultural landscapes from the prehistoric period onwards. Whilst working for Context One Heritage and Archaeology she was involved in the Lower Putton Lane project and authored the publication of the site. She currently works for Cotswold Archaeology as a Senior Publications Officer, pulling together the results of field projects for publication from sites across southern England.

Home of Hillforts & Henges is an exciting new event from 21st to 31st July that will celebrate Dorchester’s neolithic and iron age landscape, rich in earthworks and the people that have lived here for over 6,000 years.

The event is part of the National CBA Festival of Archaeology 2022 and activities will take place at multiple locations across the town.

With grateful thanks to our headline sponsors, Blanchards Bailey, Kingston Maurward and Dorchester Town Council.