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Mortaria

© Copyright John Palmer. This is work in progress, last updated 2010-03-06. Please use this link to send me comments and suggestions.

Guide to standard measurements of mortars (opens in a separate window if possible)

• 
  In Purbeck
•  
  • name Ower possible mortar
  • cat DOUBTFUL
  • site Ower Peninsula, c.1990
  • grid SZ 00 86
  • publ Cox and Hearne 1991 p.176-7
  • desc Stone report by JM Mills: A possible grinding hollow or mortar is incomplete (fig.80 no.2). Compared to an unfinished mortar from Norden, or alternatively might be a base for a post.
  • desc If this is a mortar it had a hole in the base. Measurements from published drawing, base thickness around 45mm thinning to under 15mm at edge of hole. JP: Doubtfully a mortar
  • subst Mills: PL
  • date Roman industrial site
•  
  • name Wareham mortar
  • cat DOUBTFUL
  • site Wareham
  • grid SY 92 88
  • source Farrar 1954 p.83 footnote
  • publ DCM acquisition list 1931 p.7
  • desc Farrar: A Purbeck mortar, found in Wareham, mentioned in a list of items that he says indicate Roman activity. Acquisition list: "Purbeck Stone Mortar, from Wareham. Presented by Dr G. Dru Drury", NOI
  • loc given to DCM 1931
  • subst PL
  • date Farrar implies Roman, but it may not be so
  • comment more enquiries are required
•  
  • name Worgret PL Mortar
  • site Worgret, nr Wareham, 1986-7
  • grid SY 9125 8690
  • publ Hearne CM, Smith RH 1992 esp. p.96, fig.21(2)
  • desc `lower part of a PL mortar ... has a slightly curved exterior (max.height 80mm) and a level sub-circular base (diam. 200mm). The interior is rounded and completely worn through the centre of the base, leaving a hole, approx. 120mm diam. Context 144, [small finds no.] 27, Period 3 [Romano-British].' The Fig. shows this is not the DORCM 0-230-1 (which also has a hole). Profile
  • desc Inspected by JP 2010-03-05: labelled sf 27, context 144 (as authors); authors' measurements correct; no rim remains, underside of base eroded, hole diam. as authors, with edges worn to a thin taper. Creamy limestone with shell fragments and one shell like Unio. Photos 167, 168
  • desc Measured from the object: D 200mm, from drawing: K 28mm, L 28mm Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1992.11.18, bay 101 box 66, sitecode W136, sf 27 context 144. 2010-03-05
  • subst Hearne and Smith: Purbeck limestone (PL)
  • date site period 3, late C1 to C4
•  
  • name Worgret PM mortar
  • site Worgret, 1986-7
  • grid SY 9125 8690
  • publ Hearne CM, Smith RH 1992 esp. p.96, not illus.
  • desc `a base frag of highly decayed PM .. in association with the marble pestle .. [and probably used with it] .. flat base, D 170mm, with sharply angled exterior profile and a rounded inner profile (height 50mm) .. most closely parallel[s] .. a C3/4 example from Norden' (not clearly any of the Norden mortars listed by Thomas)
  • desc Inspected by JP 2010-03-05. Severe chemical erosion. Condition very flaky and crumbly, not to be handled much! Less than half of circumference remains, hard to be more precise. Authors' D measurement seems an underestimate, but hard to be sure. Height of frag. as stated. Looks rather like BSL in the round, but photos consistent with PM. Photos 165, 166
  • loc DORCM 1992.11.18, bay 101 box 67, sitecode W136, sf 24 context 168. 2010-03-05
  • subst Hearne and Smith: Purbeck Marble (PM)
  • date site period 3, late C1 to C4 (inferred to be like the pestle)
  • comment Context 168 differs from 136 for the associated pestle
•  
  • name Frend's Worbarrow Mortar
  • site Worbarrow Bay
  • grid SY 87 NE, 88 SE (RCHM)
  • grid SY 8693 8003 to 8701 7995 (Farrar 1967)
  • source RCHM 1970, p.524, p.612 no.40
  • source Beavis p.200
  • publ Frend WHC circa 1936, MS
  • publ Frend WHC 1949
  • publ Calkin JB 1953
  • publ Calkin JB 1967
  • desc part of an unfinished lugged mortar of Purbeck burr-stone. Associated with a loom-weight of PM, (also `part of a quern' and `a large grindstone') and with evidence for shale-working and perhaps PM and salt industries: near the PM outcrop at Worbarrow Tout.
  • desc Half of a shallow mortar, with side lugs, of PM
  • desc Frend 1949: much of site washed away; within living memory there were two mounds by the sea, containing much burnt wheat and black [BB?] pottery; from one of these Frend retrieved a bronze pin which he deposited in DCM
  • loc DORCM 1936.18 (Beavis), but 1937.18.43, box LM/73(ns) (computer catalogues at DORCM and All Saints'). Beavis could not find the associated loomweight, nor the grindstone nor the quern frag, in DORCM
  • subst Beavis: Burr-stone [Broken Shell Beds, Clements DB220: JP]. Beavis: ``[burr-stone] the second layer of the Purbeck limestone, directly below the Marble.'' BSL therefore.
  • date Found with pottery consistent with C1 date. Coin (AE1) of Commodus (180-192AD) not well stratified; `picked up on the cliff slopes'
  • comment A part of a quern is also recorded at Worbarrow Bay by Miles WA 1842
  • comment Frend claims to have found a floor of shingle and Purbeck stone overlying 6in of blackened earth. He says the stone was reused and that the loomweight and mortarium were among the reused stones. Calkin considers that the stone layer (which extends for 125yd) is a layer of occupation débris rather than a deliberately laid floor.
  • comment It is now clear to me that the 2 (or even 3) Worbarrow mortars which I once catalogued are one and the same
  • comment The following can only be background matter, for date reasons: Miles WA 1826, The Deverel Barrow, 34-9; Pennie JF 1827, Tale of a Modern Genius 2, 336-41; Austen JH 1857; Warne 1872, Ancient Dorset, p.327-9.
•  
  • name Miles' Kimmeridge Mortar
  • site Kimmeridge Bay
  • grid SY 97 NW
  • source RCHM 1970 p.609
  • publ Miles WA 1826, The Deverel Barrow ?p.34-39? (but these pages relate to Worbarrow Bay and coal-money)
  • publ Austen JH 1857 quotes Miles: `found a portion of a shallow circular patera, not destitute of elegance, and formed of granite'. This appears to be the source of the statement in RCHM 1970
  • desc A mortar of `granite' (RCHM suggests probably PM)
  • loc lost
  • subst unknown
  • comment Also mentions a cist burial, material of cist unstated
•  
  • name Arish Mell Mortar
  • site Arish Mell, Worbarrow Bay nr Lulworth
  • grid SY 85 80
  • source Dunning's map
  • desc Dunning's map lists a PM mortar from Arish Mell. The only plausible candidate is a mortar on display in Dorset County Museum case 4 (2.2-2.4), even though this is definitely not PM. It is a four-lugged mortar (all lugs present) of Roman type, of limestone containing close-packed water-laid fragments of shell, not unlike Broken Shell Limestone (Purbeck Burr). Labelled as "mortar of limestone from a barrow at Arish Mell", with comment that it was probably found as a secondary burial in a Bronze Age barrow. Label gives accession no. as 0.231.1
  • desc Dimensions by eye (from outside the case): B 200mm, H 60 Explanation
  • desc Photo by JP, 2005-08.15
  • loc DCM, on display 2000 Oct, 2008 Mar, case 4 (2.2-2.4), acc. no. on label 0.231.1
  • subst BSL (Purbeck Burr)
  • comment search in DCM computer register c.2000 showed that 0.231.1 was a piece of lace; something odd here!
•  
  • name Compact Farm PL mortar 4
  • site Compact Farm, Worth Matravers, c.2000
  • grid SY 975 780
  • source Graham, Hinton and Peacock 2002 p.42-3, fig.1.27 no,4
  • desc `Pieces of three fine mortaria ... one reused in the field-barn's reconstruction'
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 282mm, B 241, C 196, D 200, H 78, I 61, K 37, L 37, P 41, Q 55 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 2002.47 or 2003.1; archive 770-774 bay 141-142 rolls 228-229 fiches 7
  • subst PL, sandy
  • cont Figures drawn by Kathryn Knowles
•  
  • name Compact Farm PL mortar 5
  • site Compact Farm, Worth Matravers, c.2000
  • grid SY 975 780
  • source Graham, Hinton and Peacock 2002 p.42-3, fig.1.27 no.5
  • desc `Pieces of three fine mortaria ... one reused in the field-barn's reconstruction'
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 235mm, B 212, C 163, D 171, H 73, I 57, K 37, L 37, P 41, Q 33 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 2002.47 or 2003.1, archive 770-774 bay 141-142 rolls 228-229 fiches 7
  • subst PL, sandy
  • cont Figures drawn by Kathryn Knowles
•  
  • name Compact Farm PL mortar 6
  • site Compact Farm, Worth Matravers, c.2000
  • grid SY 975 780
  • source Graham, Hinton and Peacock 2002 p.42-3, fig.1.27 no.6
  • desc `Pieces of three fine mortaria ... one reused in the field-barn's reconstruction'
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 286mm, B 245, C 229, D 180, H 86, K 41, L 41, P 55, Q 73 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 2002.47 or 2003.1, archive 770-774 bay 141-142 rolls 228-229 fiches 7
  • subst PL, sandy
  • cont Figures drawn by Kathryn Knowles
•  
  • name Compact Farm Broken Shell Limestone mortar
  • site Compact Farm, Worth Matravers, c.2000
  • grid SY 975 780
  • source Graham, Hinton and Peacock 2002 p.42-3, fig.1.27 no.7
  • desc `One piece of a mortarium in this coarser stone was found' (coarser that is than the sandy limestone mortars from this site)
  • desc Measured from drawing: L 40mm?. Explanation
  • loc DORCM 2002.47 or 2003.1, archive 770-774 bay 141-142 rolls 228-229 fiches 7
  • subst Broken Shell Limestone (BSL) (Clements DB220)
  • cont Figures drawn by Kathryn Knowles
•  
  • name Square and Compass shallow Burr bowl
  • site Worth Matravers site A
  • grid SY 97 NE
  • source Square and Compass Inn museum
  • desc "Mortarium" (shallow bowl) broken in manufacture. 2 parts, CA/066 is the larger. Burrstone.
  • desc Photographs by JP, ref.2005-10: .02 General view, .03 Vertical from above, .04 Horizontal view of broken edge
  • desc Estimated from photographs 03 and 04: B 277mm, C 227, D 231, H 52, I 23, K 42, L 42 Explanation
  • loc Square and Compass archaeological collection, CA/066 and CA/O67, the former is the larger piece
  • subst Purbeck Burrstone (BSL) (DB220) (C Newman, JP)
  • date Site has yielded much Roman material
  • comment This is a very shallow dish, not a normal Roman-pattern mortar; its function is disputable.
  • cont Charlie Newman
•  
  • name Square and Compass cliffstone mortar
  • cat RELATED
  • site Worth Matravers site A
  • grid SY 97 NE
  • source Square and Compass Inn museum
  • desc CA/064 or 065. Mortarium broken in manufacture. Purbeck Cliffstone (i.e. Portland formation).
  • desc Photos by JP, ref.2005-10: .05 Vertical from above, .06 Horizontal view of broken edge
  • desc Estimated from photographs: from 05: A 378mm max. possible, B 314 max (unfinished), C 274; from 06: H 93, I 50 min (unfinished) Explanation
  • loc Square and Compass archaeological collection, CA/064 or CA/O65 (the numbers are faded)
  • subst Portland Stone (PS) (C Newman)
  • date Site has yielded much Roman material
  • cont Charlie Newman
•  
  • name Square and Compass rectangular Burr mortar
  • site Worth Matravers site A
  • grid SY 97 NE
  • source Square and Compass Inn museum
  • desc CA/064 or 065. Mortarium broken in manufacture. Purbeck Burrstone. The fragment is a right-angled corner.
  • desc Photos by JP, ref.2005-10: .07 Vertical from above, .08 Horizontal view of broken edge, .09 Oblique general view
  • desc Estimated from photographs 07 and 08: A, B, C not determinable (because the object is not circular), H 90, I 45, L 57 Explanation
  • loc Square and Compass archaeological collection, CA/064 or CA/O65 (the numbers are faded)
  • subst Purbeck Burrstone (BSL) (DB220) (C Newman, JP)
  • date Site has yielded much Roman material
  • interp interpretation
  • comment comment
  • cont Charlie Newman
•  
  • name Square and Compass Compact Farm mortar
  • site Compact Farm, Worth Matravers
  • grid SY 975 780 approx.
  • source Square and Compass Inn museum
  • desc Compact Farm. Mortarium fragment. Purbeck Marble, perhaps the top bed (C Newman). Abraded interior of base. No lug survives.
  • desc Photos by JP, ref.2005-10: .10 Oblique general view
  • desc Estimated from photograph: B-C 22mm, K 14mm Explanation
  • loc Square and Compass archaeological collection
  • subst Purbeck Marble (PM) (C Newman), perhaps DB244 (JP)
  • date probable Roman-pattern mortar from known Roman site
  • cont Charlie Newman
•  
  • name Square and Compass lugged Burr mortar
  • site Worth Matravers site A
  • grid SY 97 NE
  • source Square and Compass Inn museum
  • desc Not in C Newman's catalogue of site A. 1/4 fragment of Burr mortarium. One lug present, without groove.
  • desc Photos by JP, ref.2005-10: .11 Vertical from above, .12 Horizontal, radial view of lug, .13 Horizontal, view of broken edge showing lug tangentially in profile
  • desc Estimated rom photographs: A 203mm, B 171, C 149, D 156?, H 38, I 26, L 29, P 40, Q 26 Explanation
  • loc Square and Compass archaeological collection
  • subst Purbeck Burrstone (BSL) (DB220) (C Newman, JP)
  • cont Charlie Newman
•  
  • name Square and Compass small PM mortar
  • site Worth Matravers site A
  • grid SY 97 NE
  • source Square and Compass Inn museum
  • desc Not in C Newman's catalogue of site A. 1/4 fragment (or less) of small PM mortarium.
  • desc Photos by JP, ref.2005-10: .14 General view
  • desc Estimated from photographs: H 70, L 25 Explanation
  • loc Square and Compass archaeological collection
  • subst Purbeck Marble (PM) (C Newman, JP)
  • date site has produced much Roman material
  • cont Charlie Newman
•  
  • name Square and Compass lugged PM mortar
  • site Worth Matravers site A
  • grid SY 97 NE
  • source Square and Compass Inn museum
  • desc Not in C Newman's catalogue of site A. Fragment of mortarium. Purbeck Marble, with one lug which does not show a pouring groove.
  • desc Photos by JP, ref.2005-10: .15 vertical, .16 cut edge showing profile, .17 radial view of lug, .22 general view, .23 probably another view of this object
  • desc Estimated from photographs 15, 16, 17: A 346mm, B 316, C 256, D indet., H 63, I 40, K 40, L 40, P 58, Q 37 Explanation
  • loc Square and Compass archaeological collection
  • subst Purbeck Marble (PM) (C Newman, JP)
  • cont Charlie Newman
•  
  • name Square and Compass cliffstone pebble mortar
  • cat RELATED
  • site Worth Matravers site Q
  • grid SY 97 NE
  • source Square and Compass Inn museum
  • desc SF/00068. Mortarium on seaworn pebble of Purbeck-Portland cliffstone.
  • desc Photos by JP, ref.2005-10: .18 vertical, .19 view of broken edge
  • desc Estimated from photographs: B, C, D measured on cut edge; B 184mm, C 127, D 156, H 58, I 30, K 42, L 42 Explanation
  • loc Square and Compass archaeological collection, SF/00068
  • subst Portland Stone (PS) (C Newman)
  • date site has produced much Roman material
  • comment A shallow bowl, apparently not circular. Its function is disputable.
  • cont Charlie Newman
•  
  • name Square and Compass "medieval" mortars
  • cat DOUBTFUL
  • site Unknown, Worth Matravers area
  • source Square and Compass Inn museum
  • desc Two large mortaria, unfinished, presumed medieval
  • desc Photo by JP: 2005-10.21, general view
  • desc overall diam. of larger about 300mm, smaller over 200mm.
  • loc Square and Compass archaeological collection
  • subst PL
  • date four lugged type is medieval as well as Roman
  • cont Charlie Newman
•  
  • name Worth Matravers Mortar
  • site Worth Matravers
  • grid SY 97 NE
  • source Dunning's map
  • desc ``PM'' mortar listed in Dunning's map on which more enquiries are required
  • comment may refer to one or more of the Square and Compass mortars
•  
  • name Langton Matravers Mortar
  • site Langton Matravers
  • grid SZ 00 79
  • source Dunning's map
  • desc ``PM'' mortar listed in Dunning's map on which more enquiries are required
•  
  • name Langton Museum Mortar
  • site Rope Lake Hole Romano-British site (pers. comm. Reg Saville)
  • grid SY 932 777 (Sunter and Woodward 1987)
  • source Langton Matravers Museum
  • publ Sunter and Woodward 1987 (for the site, not for this find, which was made on a different occasion)
  • publ Green 1992 (for other chance finds from this site)
  • desc Burr-stone mortarium. Slightly less than one-quarter of the whole remains, including one lug without any groove. Fragment 10cm by 9cm overall; B 200mm, H 75mm.
  • loc Langton Matravers Museum, lent by Dennis Smale. On display 2003-06-23 and 2008-08-11, described as from 'Romano-British farm site at Kingston'
  • subst Langton Museum: BSL, Burr-stone
  • cont Reg Saville
  • cont Dennis Smale
•  
  • name Haysom's Langton mortar
  • cat REJECT (date)
  • site Talbot Wood, Langton Matravers
  • grid SY 998 793
  • source National Trust 1996-2002
  • desc National Trust SMR: Trev Haysom found a PM mortar in Talbot Wood at SY 998 793 which is now in Langton Matravers Museum. NT no.112,795. See Wilkswood quarry site.
  • desc Langton Museum: 25cm by 14cm by 15cm high. Pronounced toolmarks, not smoothed off, suggest breakage during making. (Reg Saville, pers. comm. 2004-07-12)
  • desc JP observation: less than a quarter of circumference present, with one (badly chipped) lug. Inside has deep spiral chisel marks, consistent with the article being unfinished.
  • loc Langton Matravers Museum. On display, 2008-08-11
  • subst Langton Museum, NT SMR: PM
  • date Langton Museum: medieval (but from the words on the display caption it seems this judgment is based mainly on its rather large size)
  • comment Not to be confused with Dunning's Langton mortar or Dennis Smale's mortar in Langton Museum.
  • cont Treleven Haysom
  • cont Reg Saville
•  
  • name Knitson Old Farmhouse mortar
  • cat DOUBTFUL
  • site Found built into a wall of a barn (built c.1800) on the farm
  • grid SZ 005 807
  • source Mark Helfer, pers. comm. 2004-06-28
  • desc Partial mortarium, inside partly finished with spiral toolmarks clearly visible, outside quite rough, no lugs. Photos (by JP): Elevation, Top view.
  • loc Knitson Old Farmhouse, used as doorstop, carpet pad glued to base
  • subst PM (6mm gastropod limestone)
  • date uncertain, but cf. the late medieval or early modern mortars from 65 East St, Corfe Castle
  • comment might still be Roman but must be called Doubtful
  • cont Mark Helfer
•  
  • name Mrs Stillwell's Norden Mortar
  • site Norden, Corfe Castle
  • grid SY 94 83
  • source Beavis p.203
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.30
  • publ RCHM Inventory, Dorset SE, p.598
  • publ Beavis 1970 p.203
  • publ Farrar 1951 p.87
  • desc A disc of marble, conjectured to have been the bottom of a mortarium, in the collection of Mrs Stillwell 1887-9, which included part-finished marble and mortaria, and was given to DCM but now lost.
  • desc Farrar: Quernstones and a disc of PM which may be from Norden are mentioned among Mrs H. Stilwell's gifts to DCM in 1887 and 1889"; in discussion of Roman finds from the claypit area of Creech and Norden.
  • loc lost
  • subst PM ?
•  
  • name Maw's Norden Well PM mortar
  • site Norden near Corfe Castle, c.1970
  • source Rosemary Maw, pers. comm. 2006-03
  • desc Fragment of finished, smoothed Purbeck Marble mortar comprising about one-third of the circumference of the whole vessel and including one lug, without pouring groove.
  • desc Photos by JP, 2006:8.2-5
  • desc From the object itself: A 172mm, B 142, C 126, D 96, H 47, I 35, K 22, L 22, P 22 (outer end, diminishing to 18 at rim), Q 18
  • desc Collected originally by P. A. Brown
  • loc R. Maw's collection
  • subst PM (small gastropod limestone)
  • date from Roman site
  • comment Top step of well was in PM (R. Maw).
  • comment See also altars, limestone pestle, Brown's and Hughes' mortars from same site.
  • comment As to Brown's finds, see also DORCM archive boxes 727-729(ns); nothing relevant found in archive box 140, though this contains a yellow ring-binder of notes by Hughes.
•  
  • name Brown's Norden Well fragment 1
  • site Norden near Corfe Castle, c.1972
  • source DORCM reserve collection
  • publ site described in Hughes 1973 and Hughes 1974
  • desc `Norden well site' painted on in brown. 1/4 sector of bowl with no lug. Photo 143
  • desc from the object: B 300 ?, C 250, D 250, H 80, I 65, K 45, L 45 Explanation.
  • loc DORCM 2001.40.2.7, bay 60 shelf B (2nd down) box 9, 2010-02-23
  • subst biomicrite with gastropod shells cf. PM
  • date from Roman site
  • comment see also other objects listed at Maw's Norden Well PM Mortar
•  
  • name Brown's Norden Well fragments 2-3
  • site Norden near Corfe Castle, c.1972
  • source DORCM reserve collection
  • publ site described in Hughes 1973 and Hughes 1974
  • desc Two fragments, which fit, glued together since excavation. `Norden well south stream under flags' written on base. 1/4 sector of mortar with one lug without groove. Photo 144
  • desc from the object: A 290mm ?, B 240, C 210, D 200, K 35, L 35, P 50, Q 33, outside rises 10mm vertically before turning outward. Explanation.
  • loc DORCM 2001.40.2.7, bay 60 shelf B (2nd down) box 9, 2010-02-23
  • subst biomicrite with broken shells cf. BSL
  • date from Roman site
  • comment see also other objects listed at Maw's Norden Well PM Mortar
•  
  • name Brown's Norden Well fragment 4
  • site Norden near Corfe Castle, c.1972
  • source DORCM reserve collection
  • publ site described in Hughes 1973 and Hughes 1974
  • desc `NOWL' written on base. Less than 1/4 sector fragment, of similar stuff and properties to nos. 2 and 3 above, may to be part of the same mortar. Photo 145 and Photo 146.
  • loc DORCM 2001.40.2.7, bay 60 shelf B (2nd down) box 9, 2010-02-23
  • subst biomicrite with broken shells cf. BSL
  • date from Roman site
  • comment see also other objects listed at Maw's Norden Well PM Mortar
•  
  • name Brown's Norden Well fragment 5
  • site Norden near Corfe Castle, c.1972
  • source DORCM reserve collection
  • publ site described in Hughes 1973 and Hughes 1974
  • desc `NOWL' written on base. Base fragment of mortar similar to nos. 2-4 above, possibly from the same mortar. Photo 147
  • desc from the object: K 30mm, L 30, H-I 15mm or less (thickness of base), outside rises 15mm vertically before turning outward. Explanation.
  • loc DORCM 2001.40.2.7, bay 60 shelf B (2nd down) box 9, 2010-02-23
  • subst biomicrite with broken shells cf. BSL
  • date from Roman site
  • comment see also other objects listed at Maw's Norden Well PM Mortar
•  
  • name Brown's Norden Well fragment 6
  • site Norden near Corfe Castle, c.1972
  • source DORCM reserve collection
  • publ site described in Hughes 1973 and Hughes 1974
  • desc `marked as from NOWL' painted in blue on base. Rim fragment of mortar in biomicrite with finer shells than nos. 2-5 above. 1/6 to 1/8 of circumference survives. Photo 147
  • desc from the object: B 210mm ?, C 180 ?, B-C 15 (measured), overall height of frag. 45mm. Explanation.
  • loc DORCM 2001.40.2.7, bay 60 shelf B (2nd down) box 9, 2010-02-23
  • subst biomicrite with broken shells, probably PL
  • date from Roman site
  • comment see also other objects listed at Maw's Norden Well PM Mortar
•  
  • name Brown's Norden Well fragment 7
  • site Norden near Corfe Castle, c.1972
  • source DORCM reserve collection
  • publ site described in Hughes 1973 and Hughes 1974
  • desc marked `NOWL'. Rim fragment of mortar in shelly biomicrite cf. BSL. Photo 147
  • desc Overall height of frag. 35mm, length tangential to rim 50mm, thickness 12mm. Too thin to be part of no.6 above.
  • loc DORCM 2001.40.2.7, bay 60 shelf B (2nd down) box 9, 2010-02-23
  • subst broken shell biomicrite, cf. BSL
  • date from Roman site
  • comment see also other objects listed at Maw's Norden Well PM Mortar
•  
  • name Brown's Norden Well fragment 8
  • site Norden near Corfe Castle, c.1972
  • source DORCM reserve collection
  • publ site described in Hughes 1973 and Hughes 1974
  • desc `Norden well south stream under flags' written on base. Base fragment of mortar in creamy limestone, not BSL nor PM. Less than 1/4 sector of base survives. The fragment may just rise to rim level at one point. No lug. Photo 148
  • desc from the object: B 240mm ?, C 210 ?, D 210, H 60, I 43, K 35, L 35, outside rises 9mm vertically before turning outward. Explanation.
  • loc DORCM 2001.40.2.7, bay 60 shelf B (2nd down) box 9, 2010-02-23
  • subst creamy limestone with broken shells, probably PL
  • date from Roman site
  • comment see also other objects listed at Maw's Norden Well PM Mortar
•  
  • name Norden Well Burr mortar 1
  • site Norden near Corfe Castle, 1972-3
  • source DORCM reserve collection
  • publ site described in Hughes 1973 and Hughes 1974
  • desc 2010-02-16: In box, unwrapped. Base of mortarium or bowl in water-bedded shell-fragment limestone cf. BSL. Marked in ink on a white ground NOWL 73 B (in square) 5d (in circle).
  • desc No part of the upper rim remains; of the remainder of the article, extreme height 50mm, extreme diameter at highest level 213mm. The outside rises from the base 9mm and turns sharply outwards at c.45deg. Apparently a flared bowl with sides sloping outwards. Sketches
  • desc Measured from the object: D 170mm, H-I 20, K 30, L 30 Explanation.
  • loc DORCM 1996.37.1/8, site-code TWA1973, bay 86 shelf B (3rd shelf up) (Mike Hughes' excavations)
  • subst JP: BSL, by inspection
  • date from Roman site
  • comment see also other objects listed at Maw's Norden Well PM Mortar
•  
  • name Norden Well Burr mortar 2
  • site Norden near Corfe Castle, 1972-3
  • source DORCM reserve collection
  • publ site described in Hughes 1973 and Hughes 1974
  • desc 2010-02-16: Fragment of mortar in water-bedded shell-fragment limestone cf. BSL. Marked on bag, and on the object in ink on a white ground, `NOWL 73 B (in square) 5d (in circle)'. Not part of mortar 3, because of different sizes of lugs. One lug (no groove) and less than a quarter of the base remains. A flared bowl with base smaller than inside of rim, like many ceramic mortaria. Sketches
  • desc Measured from the object: A 320 ?, B 275 ?, C 235?, D 216 ?, H 75, I 50, K 35, L 35, P 50, Q 30 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1996.37.1/8, site-code TWA1973, bay 86 shelf B (3rd shelf up) (Mike Hughes' excavations)
  • subst JP: BSL, by inspection
  • date from Roman site
  • comment see also other objects listed at Maw's Norden Well PM Mortar
•  
  • name Norden Well Burr mortar 3
  • site Norden near Corfe Castle, 1972-3
  • source DORCM reserve collection
  • publ site described in Hughes 1973 and Hughes 1974
  • desc 2010-02-16: Rim fragment of mortar in water-bedded shell-fragment limestone cf. BSL. Marked on bag, and on the object in ink on a white ground, `NOWL 73 B (in square) 5d (in circle)'. Not part of mortar 2, because of different sizes of lugs. About one-sixth of the circumference and one lug (no groove) remains; max. height of remainder 30mm; lug has semicircular profile when viewed from the end. No vertical measurements possible except Q. Sketches
  • desc Measured from the object: A 260 ?, B 230 ?, C 190 ?, P 35, Q 25 Explanation.
  • loc DORCM 1996.37.1/8, site-code TWA1973, bay 86 shelf B (3rd shelf up) (Mike Hughes' excavations)
  • subst JP: BSL, by inspection
  • date from Roman site
  • comment see also other objects listed at Maw's Norden Well PM Mortar
•  
  • name Norden PM Mortar no.1
  • site Norden, Corfe Castle, 1968-9
  • grid SY 957 827
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.36ff and microfiche 7
  • desc Rim base and one lug of mortar with curved sides, base not flat. No toolmarks, unpolished. Pit 3.2, S of field boundary. Illus. p.36, fig.24, no.1.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 280mm, B 240, C 192, D 160, H 92?, K 32, L 32, P 36, Q 36 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1972.140, 2004.95; archive 140-149 bay 18 rolls 74, 141
  • subst Thomas: PM
  • date not stated
  • comment Dunning believed the curved type was before AD150 and the straight after AD350. Thomas C ?date disagrees.
•  
  • name Norden PM Mortar no.2
  • site Norden, Corfe Castle, 1968-9
  • grid SY 957 827
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.36ff and microfiche 7
  • desc Rim and base of mortar with curved sides, no lugs surviving. Base very thick, 56mm. Unpolished; weathered, pitted surface. Top of rim smooth, next 50mm inside and out nearly as smooth. Rest of surface, inside and out, rough and pitted except for edge of base, where surface slightly smooth. Unfinished tooling on base. Unstratified. Illus. p.36, fig.24, no.2.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: B 256mm, C 212, D 164, H 108, I 66, K 60, L 60 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1972.140, 2004.95; archive 140-149 bay 18 rolls 74, 141
  • subst Thomas: PM
  • date unstratified
  • comment See comment to Norden PM mortar no.1
•  
  • name Norden PM Mortar no.3
  • site Norden, Corfe Castle, 1968-9
  • grid SY 957 827
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.36ff and microfiche 7
  • desc Base of unpolished mortar with straight sides. Outside smooth, interior rougher. Surfaces flaking. No tool marks. Unstratified. Illus. p.36, fig.24, no.3.
  • desc JP: 3 pieces of one very shallow PM bowl, (with lugs?), one piece marked NO68/14 and 4 in triangle. Over three-quarters of the circumference remain. (I assume this is Thomas's Norden PM Mortar no.3, though some doubt remains, e.g. because Thomas doesn't mention it being in 3 pieces, and only one piece is illustrated in the excavation report !)
  • desc Measured from published drawing: D 256mm, K 40, L 40 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1972.140, 2004.95; archive 140-149 bay 18 rolls 74, 141; On display, 2000 Oct, 2010 Jan, case 37
  • subst Thomas: PM
  • date unstratified
  • comment See comment to Norden PM mortar no.1. The present item (no.3) is straight-sided and so by Dunning's hypothesis should be late; however the hypothesis is doubtful, see PM mortar no.5 below.
•  
  • name Norden PM Mortar no.4
  • site Norden, Corfe Castle, 1968-9
  • grid SY 957 827
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.36ff and microfiche 7
  • desc Fragment of base of mortar, or bowl, with exterior of base very poorly defined. Interior rough, with toolmarks, 5-8mm wide, probably made with pointed chisel. Diameter of base c.180-200m. Period 4 (c.140AD, dated by pottery mortarium) road (which lay along S and W of excavated area). Illus. p.36, fig.24, no.4 and p.39, plate 14.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: L 40mm Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1972.140, 2004.95; archive 140-149 bay 18 rolls 74, 141
  • subst Thomas: PM
  • date c.140AD ?
  • comment See comment to Norden PM mortar no.1
•  
  • name Norden PM Mortar no.5
  • site Norden, Corfe Castle, 1968-9
  • grid SY 957 827
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.36ff and microfiche 7
  • desc Rim, base and one lug of unfinished mortar with curved sides in pinkish Purbeck marble of very good quality which has not weathered and flaked as have no.2 and no.3. The pinkish colour may be caused by iron-staining in the stone, or by burning, more probably the former (RW Sanderson, Inst. Geo. Sci. London). Top of rim is smooth and partially polished; rim and lug delineated by compass-drawing marks; rim formed inside and out with a fine chisel. Exterior of base also worked with a fine chisel, leaving a 6mm high band of herringbone pattern. The rest of the exterior has been worked, probably with a pointed chisel, to give an accurately shaped, but not smooth, surface. Interior has been only partially removed, probably using a heavy-pointed chisel. Disturbed rubble, described (Sunter & Woodward p.16) under Period 6 (after 225AD; p.16 suggests that artefacts in the rubble are not much later than 200AD). Illus. p.36, fig.24, no.5 and p.37, plates 12 and 13 (note: the captions are interchanged).
  • desc JP: plate 12 shows it inverted, looking rather like a quarter of a steamed pudding.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 296mm, B 254, C 216, D 128, H 106 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1972.140, 2004.95; archive 140-149 bay 18 rolls 74, 141; On display, 2000 Oct, 2010 Jan, case 37
  • subst Thomas: PM
  • date not later than c.225AD
  • comment See comment to Norden PM mortar no.1. The present item (no.5) is curved-sided and may be before 150AD in accordance with Dunning's hypothesis, but may be up to 75 years later.
•  
  • name Norden Burr Mortar no.1
  • site Norden, Corfe Castle, 1968-9
  • grid SY 957 827
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.38-39 and microfiche 7
  • desc Rim, base and one lug of unfinished mortar, of tufaceous limestone, or Purbeck Burr Stone, approximating to the shape of a boat; half remains, including the unfinished lug. Interior probably finished, but now pitted. Exterior shows tool-marks and is clearly unfinished; base is very rough and unworked. Period 5 (building, estimated life 150-180AD, robbed 200-225), rubble layers 1.55 and 1.81. Illus. p.38, fig.25, no.1.
  • desc marked NO88/1 and 42 in triangle
  • desc Boat-shape is unusual; pouring lip is at end of `boat', not over the top of one lug as is usual.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: short axis A 260mm, long axis B 500 (if supposed symmetrical), short axis B 216, C 168, long D 384, short D 152, H 112, P 56, Q56 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1972.140, 2004.95; archive 140-149 bay 18 rolls 74, 141; on display 2000 Oct, 2010 Jan, case 37
  • subst Thomas says basal Purbeck burr, but probably BSL, see comment
  • date site period 5, probably 150-180AD, not after 225
  • comment Thomas's use of the terms `tufaceous limestone' and `Purbeck Burr Stone' synonymously is confusing, since commonly the latter means the Broken Shell Limestone (DB220); see the table of Purbeck strata. She is clear however that no Broken Shell Limestone was found at this site and that the basal Purbeck Burr is meant (p.39). JP notes some voids in the surface of the outside, which are however much fewer than those in the tufaceous burr displayed on the main staircase at DCM, but can also see small areas of the outside that show fine broken shell fragments with small-scale current-bedding. John Beavis remarked to JP that it did look like BSL. More geological opinions needed.
•  
  • name Norden Burr Mortar no.2
  • site Norden, Corfe Castle, 1968-9
  • grid SY 957 827
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.38-9 and microfiche 7
  • desc Unfinished mortar of tufaceous limestone, or Purbeck Burr Stone. About half remains. Interior hollowed out, now rather pitted but originally smooth. Signs of tooling around the outside of the rim; rest of exterior with no particular signs of having been worked.
  • desc p.39: essetially an irregular lump of stone into which a circular depression, presumably the inside surface of a mortar, had been formed. Traces of the beginnings of tooling around the outside of rim can just be recognised. Illus. p.38, fig.25, no.2.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: fragmentary, no useful measurements
  • loc DORCM 1972.140, 2004.95; archive 140-149 bay 18 rolls 74, 141
  • subst Thomas: basal Purbeck burr, but (like Norden burr mortar no.1) probably BSL
  • date unstratified
  • comment compare this irregular lump with one of the Worgret PM mortars
  • comment see comment to Norden Burr Mortar no.1
•  
  • name Norden Burr Mortar no.3
  • site Norden, Corfe Castle, 1968-9
  • grid SY 957 827
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.38-9 and microfiche 7
  • desc Four fragments comprising rim, base and one lug of a shallow mortar with curved sides of tufaceous limestone, or Purbeck Burr Stone. Surface is eroded, but otherwise appears finished. In disturbed rubble, period 6 (after 225AD). Illus. p.38, fig.25, no.3.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 226mm, B 196, C 156, D 124, H 56, I 40, K 24, L 24, P 40, Q 20 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1972.140, 2004.95; archive 140-149 bay 18 rolls 74, 141
  • subst Thomas: basal Purbeck burr, but (like Norden burr mortar no.1) probably BSL
  • date 3rd cent. or earlier
  • comment see comment to Norden Burr Mortar no.1
•  
  • name Norden Limestone Mortar
  • site Norden, Corfe Castle, 1968-9
  • grid SY 957 827
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.38-9 and microfiche 7
  • desc Fragment of base and rim of morter with almost vertical sides; one triangular lug; in soft, fine-grained limestone. Illus. p.38, fig.25, no.5. Unstratified.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 286mm, B 256, C 208, D 224, H 72, I 60, K 32, L 32, P 46, Q 38 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1972.140, 2004.95; archive 140-149 bay 18 rolls 74, 141
  • subst Limestone, probably Purbeck
  • date unstratified
•  
  • name Bucknowle Mortar 10
  • site Bucknowle, Corfe Castle, 1976-1991
  • grid SY 954 815
  • source Light and Ellis 2009
  • desc p.120: 10. frag. of limestone mortar, SF 82, over building 1, period 6.
  • desc Fig. 58: From drawing, about 1/8 of circumference survives, having one lug without groove
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 240mm, B 180, C 140, P 38, Q 45 Explanation
  • loc DORCM bay 131, 105-106 archive 126 (?)
  • subst Bucknowle mortars examined so far, 2010-01-19, seem to be PS
  • date site period 6, late Roman/post-Roman to medieval
•  
  • name Bucknowle Mortar 11
  • site Bucknowle, Corfe Castle, 1976-1991
  • grid SY 954 815
  • source Light and Ellis 2009
  • desc p.120: 11. part of limestone mortar, SF 406, topsoil over building 4, period 7 (medieval and modern)
  • desc Fig. 58: from drawing, not clear what proportion of circumference survives, but small; no lug
  • desc Measured from published drawings: B 200, C 156, D 135, H 80, I 50, K 42, L 42 Explanation
  • loc DORCM bay 131, 105-106 archive 126 (?)
  • subst Bucknowle mortars examined so far, 2010-01-19, seem to be PS
  • date found in site period 7, medieval to modern (but probably residual, JP)
•  
  • name Bucknowle Mortar 12
  • site Bucknowle, Corfe Castle, 1976-1991
  • grid SY 954 815
  • source Light and Ellis 2009
  • desc p.120: 12. limestone mortar SF 670, under building 8, period 4
  • desc Fig. 58: from drawing, not clear what portion of circumference but small
  • desc Measured from published drawings: B 255, C 220, D 220, H 75, I 55, K 38, L 38 Explanation
  • loc DORCM bay 131, 105-106 archive 126 (?)
  • subst Bucknowle mortars examined so far, 2010-01-19, seem to be PS
  • date site period 4, AD 150-250
•  
  • name Bucknowle Mortar 13
  • site Bucknowle, Corfe Castle, 1976-1991
  • grid SY 954 815
  • source Light and Ellis 2009
  • desc p.120: 13. part of mortar with lug SF 1089, topsoil over building 13, period 7
  • desc Fig. 58: from drawing, about 1/8 of circumference, a sector of the base reaching almost to centre, one lug without groove
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 220, B 190, C 165, D 155, H 60, I 45, K 30, L 30, P 22, Q 35 Explanation
  • loc DORCM bay 131, 105-106 archive 126 (?)
  • subst Bucknowle mortars examined so far, 2010-01-19, seem to be PS
  • date found in site period 7, medieval to modern (but probably residual, JP)
•  
  • name Bucknowle Mortar 14
  • site Bucknowle, Corfe Castle, 1976-1991
  • grid SY 954 815
  • source Light and Ellis 2009
  • desc p.120: 14. part of mortar SF 1567, fill of room 3.10, period 6
  • desc Fig. 58: from drawing, about 1/4 of circumference, sector of the base reaching almost to centre, one lug without groove
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 270, B 250, C 190, D 240, H 100, K 50, L 50, P 50, Q 70 Explanation
  • loc DORCM bay 131, 105-106 archive 126 (?)
  • subst Bucknowle mortars examined so far, 2010-01-19, seem to be PS
  • date site period 6, late Roman/post-Roman to medieval
•  
  • name Bucknowle Mortar 15
  • site Bucknowle, Corfe Castle, 1976-1991
  • grid SY 954 815
  • source Light and Ellis 2009
  • desc p.120: 15. Part of mortar SF 186, flagstones in room 1.9, period 5B
  • desc Fig. 58: from drawing, about 1/6 of circumference, good bit of base, one lug without groove
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 260, B 230, C 210, D 200, H 87, I 70, K 35, L 35, P 48, Q 65 Explanation
  • loc DORCM bay 131, 105-106 archive 126 (?)
  • subst Bucknowle mortars examined so far, 2010-01-19, seem to be PS
  • date site period 5B, AD 300-400
• 
  Dorset (excl. Purbeck and Cranborne Chase)
•  
  • name Puncknowle mortar no.5
  • site Walls, Puncknowle, 1965-1969
  • grid SY 5399 8730
  • source Bailey CJ 1986
  • desc Fragment of handled mortarium of Purbeck limestone; Bailey compares it to the Woodcuts mortar, plate 50 no.1 of Pitt-Rivers 1887
  • desc Drawing
  • desc Measured from drawing (1/4 size): B 170, C 158, D 140, H 44, I 34, K 20, L 20, P 22, Q 28 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1988.13, archive 826 bay 157B ?156D rolls 231
  • subst Bailey: PL (? Burr implied ?)
  • comment see also roof slab from same site
•  
  • name Puncknowle mortar no.6
  • cat DOUBTFUL
  • site Walls, Puncknowle, 1965-1969
  • grid SY 5399 8730
  • source Bailey CJ 1986
  • desc Fragment of mortarium, no handles, limestone, source uncertain
  • desc Drawing
  • desc Measured from drawing (1/4 size): B 232, C 200, D 176, H 88, I 72, K 34, L 34 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1988.13, archive 826 bay 157B ?156D rolls 231
  • subst Bailey: unidentified limestone
  • comment see also roof slab from same site
•  
  • name Puncknowle mortar no.7
  • site Walls, Puncknowle, 1965-1969
  • grid SY 5399 8730
  • source Bailey CJ 1986
  • desc Fragment of handled mortarium of Purbeck limestone
  • desc Drawing
  • desc Measured from drawing (1/4 size): B 192, C 176, D 140, H 56, I 38, K 28, L 28, P 32, Q 32 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1988.13, archive 826 bay 157B ?156D rolls 231
  • subst Bailey: PL
  • comment see also roof slab from same site
•  
  • name Maiden Castle PM Mortar
  • site Maiden Castle
  • grid SY 67 88
  • source Beavis
  • publ Wheeler REM 1943, p.251 and fig.80 no.58
  • desc Wheeler: one of two stone mortars from site L, having 4 lugs of which one survives, the lug has a runnel on the top. (The other is not PM.)
  • desc Beavis: mortarium with pouring groove like DCM 1912-28-1
  • desc Measured from published drawing no.58:
    A 160mm, B 144, C 128, D 112, H 40, I 32, K 16, L 16, P 16, Q 20, R 4 (yes, 4mm) Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1999.49,50; archive 659ff bay 63,?NS14
  • subst Wheeler: PM (Paludina limestone)
  • date later C4 context
•  
  • name Maiden Castle PL Mortar
  • site Maiden Castle
  • grid SY 67 88
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.39
  • publ Wheeler REM 1943, p.251 and fig.80 no.57
  • desc Thomas: PL mortarium
  • desc Wheeler: one of two stone mortars from site L, of tufaceous limestone probably from the Purbeck beds (the other is fragmentary, of PM)
  • desc Measured from published drawing no.57:
    A 204mm, B 174, C 168, D 140, H 48, I 36, K 24, L 24, P 44, Q 20 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1999.49,50; archive 659ff bay 63,?NS14; on display 2000 Oct, described as of `limestone'; apparently no longer on display 2001 May
  • subst Wheeler: tufaceous limestone, probably PL (JP: clearly not Broken Shell Limestone)
  • date later C4 context
•  
  • name Dorchester 1886 Mortar
  • site High Street, Dorchester
  • grid SY 69 90
  • source Beavis p.188-189 incl. pl.1 and 2, and p.199
  • desc PM mortarium. Photo by JP, 2005-08.14 (right). Smooth interior (worn by grinding?) Outside tooled. Fine tooling on 1cm wide band at top and bottom, coarse tooling between. Four lugs when complete, with sharp triangular section. Vestigial pouring groove. B 160mm, H 50mm (by eye)
  • desc Plates 1 and 2 (Beavis) show exterior and interior horizontal views. From plate, about 5/8 of circumference and only 2 lugs survive
  • desc Also shown in a 3.25in sq. lantern slide, Dorset County Museum collection no.129/59, probably the property of the late J Bernard Calkin; this slide shows top view of the mortar, and a pestle
  • desc Estimated by eye: A 180mm, B 160, C 140, D 140, I 45, K 20, P 25, Q 20, R 10 (groove very shallow and irregular).
  • loc DCM 1886-9-189; on display 2004 Mar.
  • subst Beavis: PM
•  
  • name Dorchester 1912 Mortar
  • site Dorchester c.1912
  • grid SY 69 90
  • source Beavis p.199
  • desc Beavis: PM mortarium, similar to DCM 1886-9-189 but more worn; has pouring groove on one of the remaining lugs. There is a similar one from Maiden Castle.
  • desc DCM catalogue: a mortar (fragment) of Purbeck stone. Original diameter 6 1/2 in. Two projections remain. Groove for pouring. Found in Dorchester. Donated by Mr CS Prideaux
  • desc Photo by JP, 2005-08:14 (left). Marked `Mr C S Prideaux'
  • desc Estimated by eye: A 190mm, B 165, C 145, D 140, H 70, I 60, L 22, P 25, Q 20, R 7
  • loc DCM 1912-28-1; on display 2004 Mar.
  • subst PM ?
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard PM and PL Mortars
  • cat review
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • source Dee Williams, Lampeter
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.81, fig.82
  • desc Woodward, Davies and Graham 1993 p.145-6: "Mortars. A total of 21 fragments of stone mortar were recorded, representing 14 different vessels. 9 were made of PM, 1 from a dolomitic rock, and 4 from Purbeck or Portland limestones.
    With two exceptions (Fig.81 no.10, Fig.82 no.21) the mortars were of common RB types (Beavis 1970). Mortar 10 from Period 7 (late C2), made of non-local dolomitic rock, was unusually large and straight-sided (Fig.81 no.10). As far as the writer is aware this type has not been found elsewhere in RB contexts and is closer in form to medieval examples from Southampton ... Mortar 21 from Period 12 (medieval) (Fig.82 no.12) is a medieval type with vertical ribs, being the only example within this group made from a PM with a reddish tinge, and the only one with a polished exterior. Mortars of this type have been found in medieval layers at Christchurch ... and at Southampton ...
    Of the other mortars and fragments, 9 were made of PM, 2 of arenaceous limestone and one a microsparite. There was no difference in quality between the limestone mortars and those of PM. However the base bands were accentuated on the limestone and light coloured PM mortars and simple triangular lugs occur only on these."
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • subst As detailed below
  • date As detailed below
  • comment Although the above says 14 mortars were found, only 13 are illustrated and detailed below
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard deep dolomitic mortar
  • cat DOUBTFUL
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.81 no.10
  • desc "Mortar 10 from Period 7, made of non-local dolomitic rock, was unusually large and straight-sided (Fig.81 no.10). As far as the writer is aware this type has not been found elsewhere in RB contexts and is closer in form to medieval examples from Southampton ..."
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • subst Excavators: Dolomitic, suggested to be from Kimmeridge Clay
  • date Site period 7, late C2, but style medieval
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard PM Mortar 11
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.81 no.11
  • desc fig.81 no.11: Context 3279 strat-unit 43/06/02 small-find 2115 catalogue-no. 20
  • desc Measured from published drawings: B 233mm, C 192, K 21 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • subst Excavators: PM
  • date Site period 6, C1/C2
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard PM Mortar 12
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.81 no.12
  • desc fig.81 no.12: Context 3114,3141 strat-unit 43/06/02 small-find 2081,2313 catalogue-no. 21
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 250mm, B 217, C 171, I 44, K 17, P 29, Q 29 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • subst Excavators: PM
  • date Site period 6, C1/C2
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard Mortar 13
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.81 no.13
  • desc fig.81 no.13: Oosparite, possibly PL or PS, context 1296 strat-unit 44/15/03 small-find 1878 catalogue-no. 22
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 242mm, B 208, C 171, D 175, H 65, I 54, K 29, L 29, P 38, Q 38 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • subst Excavators: oosparite, possibly PL
  • date Site period 10, late C4
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard PM Mortar 14
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.81 no.14
  • desc fig.81 no.14: Context 4727 strat-unit 45/04/02 small-find 1693 catalogue-no. 23
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 329mm, B 275, C 225, D 229, E 196, H 75, I 50, J 46, K 38, L 38, P 50, Q 42 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • subst Excavators: PM
  • date Site period 8, C3
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard PM Mortar 15
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.82 no.15
  • desc fig.82 no.15: Context 2116 strat-unit 45/05/01 small-find 2013,2017 catalogue-no. 24) Measured from published drawings: B 254mm, C 217, D 183, E 192, H 58, I 46, J 33, K 21, L 21, P 58, Q 29 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • subst Excavators: PM
  • date Site period 9, early C4
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard PM Mortar 16
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.82 no. 16
  • desc fig.82 no. 16: PM mortar with hole in bottom filled with lead. Context 2894 strat-unit 45/11/10 small-find 1398 catalogue-no. 25
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 254mm, B 217, C 192, D 142, H 54, I 46, K 25, L 25, P 33, Q 33, R 8 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • subst Excavators: PM
  • date Site period 9, early C4
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard PM Mortar 17
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.82 no.17
  • desc fig.82 no.17: Context 5100 strat-unit 45/14//16 small-find 2112 catalogue-no. 26
  • desc Measured from published drawings: D 267mm?, K 42, L 42 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • subst Excavators: PM
  • date Site period 10, late C4
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard Mortar 18
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.82 no.18
  • desc fig.82 no.18: Context 5028 strat-unit 51/02/04 small-find 1781 catalogue-no. 27
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 254mm, B 229, C 200, D 171, H 75, I 56, K 33, L 33, P 42, Q 33 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • subst Excavators: microsparite, possibly PL
  • date Site period 11, late Roman/early medieval
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard PM Mortar 19
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.82 no.19
  • desc fig.82 no.19: Context 5375 strat-unit 51/02/06 small-find 2127 catalogue-no. 28
  • desc Measured from published drawings: A 333mm, B 267, C 233, D 221, H 88, I 71, K 38, L 38, P 50?, Q 46 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • subst Excavators: PM
  • date Site period 11, late Roman/early medieval
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard Mortar 20
  • cat REJECT (date)
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.82 no.20
  • desc fig.82 no.20: from medieval layer
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • date medieval
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard Mortar 21
  • cat REJECT (date)
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.82 no.21
  • desc fig.82 no.21: from medieval layer
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • date medieval
•  
  • name Greyhound Yard Mortar 22
  • cat DOUBTFUL
  • site Dorchester, Greyhound Yard 1981-4
  • grid SY 693 906
  • publ Woodward PJ, Davies SM, Graham AH 1993 p.145-6 and fig.82 no.22
  • desc fig.82 no.22: unstratified: arenaceous limestone
  • loc DORCM 1985.31, ?1956.11; archive 550-577,253-317 bay 7-39,157 rolls 29-40
  • subst Excavators: arenaceous limestone
  • date unknown
  • comment RB pattern and may be PL or PS
•  
  • name Wessex Court tripod mortar
  • site Dorchester, Wessex Court (Charles St), 1989
  • grid SY 6935 9045
  • source Davies et al. 2002 p.85 mention a tripod mortar from Wessex Court, in relation to a similar object from Alington Avenue
  • publ DCM 1996.31.34.1, box 591, file 1: Adam et al., draft report on 1989 excavation;
    DCM 1996.31.34.2, box 600, file 16: object records [OR] by context [layer];
    DCM 1996.31.34.2, box 601, File 18: Primary finds records: stone;
    DCM 1996.31.34.2, box 605, file 23: A list of mortar fragments, and a table of portable objects by phase [stratification-unit].
  • desc Tripod mortar of Purbeck limestone, apparently unpublished, but referred to in a published article.
  • loc DORCM 1996.31; archive 591-611,615 bay 145-149 rolls 170-174 fiches 242
  • subst PL
  • comment This mortar is not mentioned in either of the reports in PDNHAS of the Wessex Court excavation, neither Davies and Farwell 1989 nor Adam 1990.
•  
  • name Wessex Court PM mortar, context 2382
  • site Dorchester, Wessex Court (Charles St), 1989
  • grid SY 6935 9045
  • source DCM 1996.31.34.2, box 601, file 18
  • desc Fragmentary mortar, unpublished
  • loc DCM acc. 1996.31 (finds: bays 145-149, papers: boxes 591-611, 615)
  • subst PM
•  
  • name Wessex Court PM mortar 4770
  • site Dorchester, Wessex Court (Charles St), 1989
  • grid SY 6935 9045
  • source DCM 1996.31.34.2, box 605, file 23
  • desc Rim fragment, unpublished
  • loc DCM acc. 1996.31 (finds: bays 145-149, papers: boxes 591-611, 615)
  • subst PM
•  
  • name Wessex Court PM mortar 4811
  • site Dorchester, Wessex Court (Charles St), 1989
  • grid SY 6935 9045
  • source DCM 1996.31.34.2, box 605, file 23
  • desc Rim fragment, unpublished
  • loc DCM acc. 1996.31 (finds: bays 145-149, papers: boxes 591-611, 615)
  • subst PM
•  
  • name Wessex Court PM mortar 4948
  • site Dorchester, Wessex Court (Charles St), 1989
  • grid SY 6935 9045
  • source DCM 1996.31.34.2, box 605, file 23
  • desc Base fragment, unpublished
  • loc DCM acc. 1996.31 (finds: bays 145-149, papers: boxes 591-611, 615)
  • subst PM
•  
  • name Wessex Court PL mortar 4950
  • site Dorchester, Wessex Court (Charles St), 1989
  • grid SY 6935 9045
  • source DCM 1996.31.34.2, box 605, file 23
  • desc Rim fragment, unpublished
  • loc DCM acc. 1996.31 (finds: bays 145-149, papers: boxes 591-611, 615)
  • subst PL
•  
  • name Wessex Court PL mortar 5361
  • site Dorchester, Wessex Court (Charles St), 1989
  • grid SY 6935 9045
  • source DCM 1996.31.34.2, box 601, file 18
  • desc Rim fragment, unpublished
  • loc DCM acc. 1996.31 (finds: bays 145-149, papers: boxes 591-611, 615)
  • subst PL
•  
  • name Alington Avenue PM mortar no.1
  • site Dorchester, Alington Avenue, c.1985
  • grid SY 704 899
  • source Davies et al. 2002 p.85--87
  • desc Davies p.87: Mortar fragment, Roman, cat. no. 16; SF 1564; context 594, ditch 521.
  • desc Dimensions, measured from published drawings: A 220mm, B 192, C 168, P 32, Q 24. Explanation
  • desc Small finds record however says "internal rim diameter (i.e. C) 18cm, 14% remaining; thickness 1-2cm". SF record plus drawing indicates that one (rim) fragment survives. SF record cites as a parallel SF 1616: this is no.5, below.
  • loc DORCM 1991.89.54, papers 1991.89.55.1; archive 667-699,804-805 bay 161?box 4?, bay 95-100 roll 207-212 fiches 34?39
  • subst PM; so in small finds record, DORCM 1991.89.55.1
  • date Roman
•  
  • name Alington Avenue PM mortar no.5
  • site Dorchester, Alington Avenue, c.1985
  • grid SY 704 899
  • source Davies et al. 2002 p.85--87
  • desc Davies p.85: One squat, flat-based (Fig.39 no.5) similar to one from Norden (Sunter 1969 Fig.24), [probably no.3 in that Fig. is meant].
  • desc Davies p.87: Mortar fragment, Roman, cat. no. 24; SF 1616; context 2448, building 1737.
  • desc Dimensions, measured from published drawings: A 214mm, B 190, C 148, D 148, H 56, I 48, K 22, L 22, P 40, Q 26 Explanation
  • desc Small finds record however says "diam. of base (i.e. D) 16cm, 31% remains; diam. or rim (B or C?) 17cm, 6% remains". Drawing and SF record suggest two pieces survive, a rim and a base sherd. SF record cites as a parallel SF 1564: this is no.1, above.
  • loc DORCM 1991.89.54, papers 1991.89.55.1; archive 667-699,804-805 bay 161?box 4?, bay 95-100 roll 207-212 fiches 34?39
  • subst PM; so in small finds record, DORCM 1991.89.55.1
  • date Roman
•  
  • name Alington Avenue PM mortar unnumbered
  • site Dorchester, Alington Avenue, c.1985
  • grid SY 704 899
  • source Davies et al. 2002 p.85--87
  • desc A third PM mortar, not identified individually in the published drawings.
  • loc DORCM 1991.89.54, papers 1991.89.55.1; archive 667-699,804-805 bay 161?box 4?, bay 95-100 roll 207-212 fiches 34?39
  • subst Davies et al: PM
•  
  • name Alington Avenue PL mortars (four)
  • site Dorchester, Alington Avenue, c.1985
  • grid SY 704 899
  • source Davies et al. 2002 p.85--87
  • desc Some remarks here also apply to the Alington PM mortars 1, 5, X, above.
  • desc Geological identification by Paul Ensom. [I have been unable to locate Ensom's report in the excavation archive DCM 1991.89.55.1. Unfortunately the article does not individually identify the material of each of the mortars. However it appears from special-find records that two of the PM mortars are Fig.39 nos. 1 and 5.]
    "Eighteen fragments of ten different stone mortars ... 4 of PL, 3 of PM, 2 of oolitic limestone, 2 of microsparite limestone" [the numbers in the article do not add to 10 nor to 18!]
    "One squat, flat-based (Fig.39 no.5) [PM mortar 5] similar to one from Norden (Sunter 1969 Fig.24)" [probably no.3 in that Fig.].
    "Tripod-footed mortar (Fig.39 no.4) is less common but a similar one was found at Wessex Court in an early Roman context (Davies and Farwell 1989)" [but this article does not actually describe the mortar in question].
    Mortars recovered from residual contexts, [mostly] in infilling of bldg 1737, a smaller number in filling of poss. mediaeval hollow 752.
  • desc Dimensions of mortars, measured from published drawings: Explanation
    no. 1 see PM mortar 1
    no.2: A 288mm, B 248, C 212, P 36, Q 28, R 10 (cat 19 cx 935 bldg 1737)
    no.3: A 360mm, B 304, C 280, D 216, H 80, I 68, K 28, L 20, P 92, Q 48, R 32 (cat 20 cx 935 bldg 1737) (big lug and runnel!)
    no.4 (tripod): A 340mm, B 268, C 252, H 112, H with legs 164, I 92, K 30, P 60, Q 46, R 28 (cat 22 sf 1614 cx 1311 pit 2144)
    no. 5 see PM mortar 5
  • loc DORCM 1991.89.54, papers 1991.89.55.1; archive 667-699,804-805 bay 161?box 4?, bay 95-100 roll 207-212 fiches 34?39
  • subst Davies et al: PL
  • comment Possible pestle (Fig.39 no.6) material not stated. These mortars are grouped together in this single entry because until they have been individually inspected, it is not possible to identify which of them are the PL mortars referred to in Ensom's geological description.
•  
  • name Poundbury PL Mortars
  • cat review
  • site Poundbury, Dorset
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.39
  • publ Green CS 1987, report on The Stone Objects by Davies S, p.103-8
  • desc Thomas: PL mortarium
  • desc Davies in Green: Two PL mortars (Fig.75, nos.18, 21) from early Roman period; 4 PL mortars (Fig.75, nos.19, 20) from late Roman period, (Implied there were two others not illustrated.) Details below.
  • loc DORCM 1994.5; archive 80-82,201-250 bay 70-76 rolls 15-28 fiches 481
  • subst PL
•  
  • name Poundbury PL Mortar 18
  • site Poundbury, Dorset
  • grid SY 68 91
  • publ Green CS 1987, report on The Stone Objects by Davies S, p.103-8
  • desc Measurements from the published drawings: no.18: A,B,C not determinable, but A-B 56mm?, B-C 80mm?, P 72mm, Q 36mm Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1994.5; archive 80-82,201-250 bay 70-76 rolls 15-28 fiches 481
  • subst PL
  • date Davies: early Roman
•  
  • name Poundbury PL Mortar 19
  • site Poundbury, Dorset
  • grid SY 68 91
  • publ Green CS 1987, report on The Stone Objects by Davies S, p.103-8
  • desc Measurements from the published drawings: no.19: D 164mm, K 40, L 40 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1994.5; archive 80-82,201-250 bay 70-76 rolls 15-28 fiches 481
  • subst PL
  • date Davies: late Roman
•  
  • name Poundbury PL Mortar 20
  • site Poundbury, Dorset
  • grid SY 68 91
  • publ Green CS 1987, report on The Stone Objects by Davies S, p.103-8
  • desc Measurements from the published drawings: no.20: B 284mm, D 104, K 52 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1994.5; archive 80-82,201-250 bay 70-76 rolls 15-28 fiches 481
  • subst PL
  • date Davies: late Roman
•  
  • name Poundbury PL Mortar 21
  • site Poundbury, Dorset
  • grid SY 68 91
  • publ Green CS 1987, report on The Stone Objects by Davies S, p.103-8
  • desc Measurements from the published drawings: no.21: D 200mm (somewhat uncertain), K 28, L 28 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1994.5; archive 80-82,201-250 bay 70-76 rolls 15-28 fiches 481
  • subst PL
  • date Davies: early Roman
•  
  • name Poundbury PL Mortar A
  • site Poundbury, Dorset
  • grid SY 68 91
  • publ Green CS 1987, report on The Stone Objects by Davies S, p.103-8
  • desc Not illustrated
  • loc DORCM 1994.5; archive 80-82,201-250 bay 70-76 rolls 15-28 fiches 481
  • subst PL
  • date Davies: late Roman
•  
  • name Poundbury PL Mortar B
  • site Poundbury, Dorset
  • grid SY 68 91
  • publ Green CS 1987, report on The Stone Objects by Davies S, p.103-8
  • desc Not illustrated
  • loc DORCM 1994.5; archive 80-82,201-250 bay 70-76 rolls 15-28 fiches 481
  • subst PL
  • date Davies: late Roman
•  
  • name Fordington Bottom mortar
  • site A37 western link road site, W of Dorchester, 1986--8
  • grid SY 666 910 approx.
  • source Cool H 2005 p.55
  • publ Smith RJC et al. 1997 p.249
  • desc Objects of worked stone (from A37 Western Link Road) by Rachael Seager Smith. Base fragment of mortar of "common R-B type", catalogue no. 9, Purbeck limestone.
  • loc Dorset County Museum (Smith p.13). Cat no. 9
  • subst Seager Smith: PL
  • date Roman
•  
  • name Waddon mortar
  • site Waddon near Portesham, 1997
  • grid SY 619 858
  • source Waddon Heritage, http://www.waddon-heritage.co.uk/roman_artefacts.htm (2005 July)
  • desc Multi-period site investigated by Time Team, 2000: Neolithic henge, IA roundhouse, medieval manor.
  • desc Site has Roman coins and pottery of 1st to 4th cent. Broken stone mortarium found 1997 after septic tank excavations, illustrated on the Waddon website (not available 2010 Jan.).
  • desc JP, on inspection: About half the circumference remains, with most of two lugs, neither grooved. Much of base and part of upper rim flaked off. Interior is nearly hemispherical, radius about 70mm, with smoothed inner surface. A projecting base or plinth runs around the exterior at bottom, coming up to and joining the base of the lugs, and bringing the external diameter of the base, D, to about the same as the diameter over the lugs, A. Sketch, photos
  • desc Measurements from the object: A 180mm B 160 C 120 D 180 I 70 K 45 (min.) P 20 R 25 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 2000.58, bay 143 shelf F (bottom) box 2; labelled on bag `PM mortar fragment, Time Team 1999'; nothing relevant found in archive box 749
  • subst JP: Small gastropod limestone, cf. PM
  • date 2nd or 3rd cent. AD ?
  • cont David James
•  
  • name Oakley Down Mortar
  • site Oakley Down, Wimborne St Giles, Dorset, Trench II above pit 6
  • grid SU 03 12
  • publ Brown, Corney and Woodward 1996
  • desc Base frag of mortar, Purbeck limestone
  • loc DORCM 1953.55; archive 708-709 bay 142 rolls 221
  • subst PL
  • date Doubtfully Roman: most material in context was Iron Age
•  
  • name Milbourne Mortar
  • site IA/RB settlement at Milbourne St Andrew, Dorset (midway between Dorchester and Blandford)
  • grid SY 80 97
  • source Beavis p.199
  • publ Drew CD 1931, pl.8 no.9
  • desc mortarium, may be burr-stone. Lugs as drawn by Drew unusually rounded for a PM mortarium which is not very worn; rounded lugs are more common on stone mortaria (Beavis). The top of the lugs is rounded down instead of being flat.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 210mm, B 180,mC 144, D 105, H 63, I 39, K 30, L 30, P 45, Q 27 Explanation
  • subst Drew: PM; Beavis: may be Burr (apparently from its style, not from inspecting the stone itself)
  • date Iron Age/Romano-British site
•  
  • name Mansel-Pleydell's Well Mortar
  • site Winterbourne Kingston, infill of RB well
  • grid SY 86 97
  • source Beavis p.203
  • publ Mansel-Pleydell 1890 esp. p.2
  • desc ``in the well .. was a portion of a shallow mortar of PM 6 5/8in diam 1 1/2in deep, with projections at the side; there would have been 4 .. the part recovered has 2 only''
  • desc Beavis(?): ``Shallow vase of PM''
  • subst Mansel-Pleydell: Purbeck marble (PM)
•  
  • name Southwell Mortar
  • site Southwell (Portland), St Andrew's Church ?1885?
  • grid SY 68 70
  • source Beavis p.200-1, who identifies the `mortar from Southwell' with DCM 0-230-1 `probably'.
  • publ Farrar RAH 1964 p.101
  • desc Farrar: Roman mortar of Purbeck burr-stone with 3 [equally-spaced: JP] lug handles, probably found May 1885, judging by an old museum label.
  • desc Photo by JP, 2005-08.13. Has a hole worn in the bottom, otherwise complete; rim is complete all round; no pouring grooves
  • desc Estimated by eye: A 180mm, B 160, C 150, D 140, H 45, I 45 (base worn through), P 23, Q 23
  • loc DCM; Southwell mortar on display 2000 Oct, 2010 Jan, about case 39; DCM number is not visible in the display so not able yet to confirm Beavis' identification
  • subst Beavis: burr-stone (DCM 0-230-1); Farrar: burr-stone (Southwell mortar); BSL
  • comment do not confuse with the lower part of a PL mortar from Worgret which also is worn through the base
•  
  • name Sherborne Mortar
  • site Sherborne
  • grid ST 64 17
  • source Dunning's map
  • desc ``PM'' mortar listed in Dunning's map on which more enquiries are required; Beavis 1970 p.201 mentions a mortar from Sherborne and guesses it may be in a private collection
  • comment Jeremy Harte suggests the C. E. Bean collection in DCM. Not however mentioned in Bean's list of finds from Sherborne, 1950 or among his finds from Sherborne in Farrar's Fieldwork in Dorset 1955.
  • comment Paul Robinson mentions a mediaeval mortar from Sherborne School, which is now published in Keen and Ellis 2005 p.58, fig.55 no.243, and is clearly medieval by context and type.
  • cont Paul Robinson, Devizes Museum 2001-07-26
•  
  • name Halstock Mortar 1
  • site Halstock villa, Dorset 1967-1985
  • grid ST 53 07
  • publ Lucas RN 1993 p.95
  • desc ``The stone mortars .. Figure 27. 1. Described by John Beavis. Frag of rim and lug of mortar. Similar to mortars from Dorchester (1, 2) and Norden (1, 2) in shape and lug form. About 1/8 of rim present with one handle. 17C layer 1, topsoil above roadway W of buildings 1 and 2. Just smaller than the larger [of the two groupings] 21cm by 7-8cm and 17cm by 5cm''.
  • desc Measured from published drawing fig.27: A 360mm, B 164, C 140, D 268, H 104, K 52, L 52, P 50, Q 36 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1992.54; archive 111-119 bay 22,91-98 rolls 7-9,43
  • subst Beavis: bioclastic and pellet limestone, ?some ooliths. Probably from Portland Beds (PS)
  • comment Cool 2005 p.55 reckons this as Purbeck
•  
  • name Halstock Mortar no.2
  • site Halstock villa, Dorset 1967-1985
  • grid ST 53 07
  • publ Lucas RN 1993 p.95
  • desc Base of a mortar, similar to No.17(?) (15I layer 2, Overburden, building 2).
  • desc Measured from published drawing fig.27: D 144mm, K 36, L 36 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1992.54; archive 111-119 bay 22,91-98 rolls 7-9,43
  • subst apparently like no. 1
  • comment Cool 2005 p.55 reckons this one as Purbeck
•  
  • name Halstock Mortar no.3
  • site Halstock villa, Dorset 1967-1985
  • grid ST 53 07
  • publ Lucas RN 1993 p.95
  • desc Mortar similar to No.1, probably with four handles (27C layer 3, Overburden, NW Courtyard).
  • desc Measured from published drawing fig.27: A 248mm, B 220, C 200, D 180, H 62, I 52, K 32, L 32, P 36, Q 24 Explanation
  • loc DORCM 1992.54; archive 111-119 bay 22,91-98 rolls 7-9,43
  • subst apparently like no. 1
  • comment Cool 2005 p.55 reckons this one as Purbeck
•  
  • name Halstock PM mortar
  • cat DOUBTFUL
  • site Halstock villa?, Dorset 1967-1985?
  • grid ST 53 07 (if the Villa)
  • source DORCM reserve collection computer catalogue, 2010 Feb
  • desc PM Mortar
  • loc DORCM bay 93C box 118
  • subst apparently PM
•  
  • name Tarrant Hinton mortar 10
  • site Tarrant Hinton
  • grid ST 927 119
  • source Graham A 2006 p.138 and fig.55 no.10
  • desc Fragment of mortar of oolitic limestone with glauconite and sand grains, possibly of Purbeck origin. Tooled rim and triangular lugs. Period 5 (4th cent.), debris Building 1, SF [small find] 915.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 360mm, B 330, C 300, D 252, H 96, I 72, K 36, L 36, P 48, Q 36
  • loc DORCM 1936.51; bay 12D
  • subst uncertain
  • comment see also roofing, tesserae, architectural stone, structural stone, inscription, from this site
•  
  • name Tarrant Hinton mortar 11
  • site Tarrant Hinton
  • grid ST 927 119
  • source Graham A 2006 p.138 and fig.55 no.11
  • desc Fragment of mortar of limestone ... very close to PM (Viviparus biomicrite). Tooled exterior and trapezoidal lugs. Probably burnt. Period 4 (2nd to 3rd cent.), debris Building 11, SF 916.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 372mm, B 324, C 288, D 276, H 96, I 78, K 33, L 33, P 66, Q 36
  • loc DORCM 1936.51; bay 12D
  • subst PM
  • comment see also roofing, tesserae, architectural stone, structural stone, inscription, from this site
•  
  • name Tarrant Hinton mortar 13
  • site Tarrant Hinton
  • grid ST 927 119
  • source Graham A 2006 p.138 and fig.55 no.13
  • desc Fragment of mortar of coarse shelly limestone. Purbeck Limestone formation (M-V Purbeck Beds). Tooled exterior and squarish lugs. Period 5 (4th cent.), debris Building 11, SF 918.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 300mm, B 276, C 252, D 234, H 60, I 48, K 24, L 24, P 33, Q 36
  • loc DORCM 1936.51; bay 12D
  • subst PL
  • comment see also roofing, tesserae, architectural stone, structural stone, inscription, from this site
•  
  • name Tarrant Hinton mortar 14
  • site Tarrant Hinton
  • grid ST 927 119
  • source Graham A 2006 p.138 and fig.55 no.14
  • desc Fragment of mortar with lug, of fossiliferous limestone probably from Upper Purbeck Limestone Beds. Period 5 (4th cent.), upper fill of Well, 655.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 200mm (est.), B 180 (est.), C 156 (est.), P 27, Q 30
  • loc DORCM 1936.51; bay 12D
  • subst PL
  • comment see also roofing, tesserae, architectural stone, structural stone, inscription, from this site
•  
  • name Tarrant Hinton mortar 15
  • site Tarrant Hinton
  • grid ST 927 119
  • source Graham A 2006 p.138 and fig.55 no.15
  • desc Fragment of mortar of coarse shelly limestone. Purbeck Limestone formation (M-V Purbeck Beds). Fragment with spout. Period 5 (4th cent.), debris Building 1, SF 919.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: P 60, Q 36, R 20
  • loc DORCM 1936.51; bay 12D
  • subst PL
  • comment see also roofing, tesserae, architectural stone, structural stone, inscription, from this site
•  
  • name Sutton Poyntz mortar
  • cat DOUBTFUL
  • site Sutton Poyntz, 2005
  • grid SY 705 838 or vicinity
  • desc Stone mortar from Roman site ?
  • subst Unknown
  • comment Awaiting fuller report
  • cont Rachel Caistor
• 
  Cranborne Chase
•  
  • name Woodcuts Well Mortar
  • site Woodcuts, 1884
  • grid ST 963 181
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.39
  • publ Pitt-Rivers A 1887, Excavations in Cranborne Chase I p.143 and pl.50 no.1, also in list p.179, no.19 or 20
  • desc ``Two views and section of portion of mortar of shelly limestone from the upper Purbecks, resembling the stone known at Swanage as `Burrstone', and formerly used as a building material; diam. about 9in; having projections at the side, and a groove along the surface of one of the projections. Found in the small Roman well, which contained three fragments.'' [ JP's emphasis; from the plate it can be seen that 2 lugs are present, one with pouring groove. ]
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 280mm, B 240, C 200, H 72, I 52, K 36, L 36, P 48 (grooved), P 40 (ungrooved), Q 26, R 14 Explanation
  • loc Salisbury Museum, Woodcuts display, middle-sized one of 3 mortar fragments has 2 lugs, one with pouring groove, and is marked `from Well': diam c.25cm when complete. Large mortar is the Pit mortar. Smallest of the 3 (200mm x 60mm when complete, 1 lug, tooled outside) is discussed under Woodcuts Pit Mortar.
  • subst HB Woodward, Museum of Practical Geology, London, in Pitt-Rivers 1887 p.179, no.19 or 20: ``shelly limestone from the upper Purbecks, resembling the stone known at Swanage as `Burrstone', and formerly used as a building material''; BSL
  • comment May be from Vale of Wardour Purbeck beds, which are close
•  
  • name Woodcuts Pit Mortar
  • site Woodcuts
  • grid ST 963 181
  • source Dunning's map
  • publ Pitt-Rivers 1887 p.143 and pl.50 no.2
  • desc ``Two views of a portion of a mortar of shelly limestone from the upper Purbecks, resembling ... Swanage ... `Burrstone' ... diam 1ft 3in. Found in Pit 29 (the Roman excavation) in the central quarter.'' [ From the Plate, about 1/6 of the circumference remains, including one non-pouring lug. ]
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 432mm?, B 376?, C 312?, H 88, I 64, K 40, L 36, P 60, Q 40 Explanation
  • loc Salisbury Museum, largest (in original diam) of 3 mortars in Woodcuts display matches the description. Middle-sized mortar is the Well mortar. Smallest of the 3 (200mm x 60mm when complete, 1 lug left, tooled outside) could be one of the 3 fragments mentioned by Pitt-Rivers, but as it is a substantial portion of the whole mortar, that would be surprising. It is not PM and may not be PL.
  • subst HB Woodward, Museum of Practical Geology, London, in Pitt-Rivers 1887 p.179, no. 19 or 20: ``shelly limestone from the upper Purbecks, resembling the stone known at Swanage as `Burrstone', and formerly used as a building material''; BSL
  • comment Dunning's map listed a PM mortar from this site, but Pitt-Rivers mentions no PM mortar, and only this one and three fragments (one only described in detail) as PL mortaria
  • comment May be from Vale of Wardour Purbeck beds, which are close
•  
  • name Rotherley Mortar
  • site Rotherley
  • grid ST 94 19
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.39
  • publ Pitt-Rivers A 1888, Excavations in Cranborne Chase II p.180 and pl.120 fig.6
  • desc PL mortarium
  • desc ``Fragment of a small mortar or bowl of shelly limestone, from the Upper Purbecks, resembling ... Swanage ... Burrstone. Found in the filling [PR's emphasis] of the Square Hut Foundation. A mortar of similar material was found at Woodcuts ... [in fact another was also found there, JP] 3 frags with projecting ledges, similar to those represented in Vol I Plate 50, were found at Rotherley.''
  • desc Measured from published drawing: B 200mm?, H 60, K 20, L 20 Explanation
  • loc Salisbury Museum ns
  • subst BSL because `of similar material to' Woodcuts mortar
  • comment From the figure, would seem to have been about 8in diam.
  • comment Probably identical with the ``PM'' mortar listed in Dunning's map, since Pitt-Rivers mentions no PM mortar from Rotherley in his publications
•  
  • name Woodyates PL Mortar
  • site Woodyates
  • grid SU 03 19
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.39
  • publ Pitt-Rivers A 1892, Excavations in Cranborne Chase III p.150 and pl.187 no.18
  • desc PL mortarium
  • desc ``Portion of a stone mortarium. Found in surface trenching near the Roman Road. Similar vessels ... '' [ 1, 2, 3; ] [ 3 is cited here as Vol 2 Plate 120 no.4, when in fact no.6 illustrates the PL mortarium; no.4 is a grit-stone quern ] From the Figure, about 3/8 of the circumference remains, with 1 lug with pouring groove.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 348mm?, B 300?, C 252?, L 20, P 58, Q 42, R 8 (inner end), R 30 (outer). Explanation
  • subst Not clearly stated to be PL, except by the comparison with the `similar vessels'; the mis-citation of the third similar vessel may (just possibly) indicate that the material of the present item was not PL but gritstone
  • comment Salisbury Museum ns
•  
  • name Buzbury Rings mortar
  • cat DOUBTFUL
  • site Buzbury Rings, Tarrant Keynston, c.1966
  • grid ST 9185 0592
  • source Farrar 1967 p.121
  • desc Part of a mortar of "shelly limestone", resembling Maiden Castle PM and PL mortars, found in the N part of the inner enclosure by C. G. Rudd
  • loc DORCM 2001.63; archive 752 bay 58B
  • subst probably PL
  • date uncertain
• 
  South-west peninsula
•  
  • name Exeter Mortar
  • site Exeter
  • grid SX 92 92
  • source Cool H 2005
  • publ - Holbrook and Bidwell 1991 p.278 no.2
  • desc Original publication not yet seen. Cool: Purbeck marble mortar, AD 75-85 context. Also several other "Purbeck" mortars, Holbrook and Bidwell p.278-9 no.3-6. Cf. the the Exeter labrum
  • subst Cool: PM
  • date AD 75--85 context
• 
  Hampshire
•  
  • name Rockbourne Mortar
  • site Rockbourne Villa, Hants
  • grid SU 12 17
  • source Beavis p.200, who suggests from the style that it may be later than Roman
  • desc Large mortarium of PM with spout continuous with a groove all around the rim. Handle is a loop away from the body. Unusually deep. Not polished, tooling marks visible. May be Saxon. Contrast the other dish from ? this site
  • loc displayed on site
  • subst Beavis: PM
  • date Roman site, but Beavis: from style may be Saxon
•  
  • name Silchester Mortar
  • site Silchester
  • grid SU 64 62
  • source Dunning's map
  • desc ``PM'' mortar listed in Dunning's map on which more enquiries are required.
  • comment May possibly be a mistake for the 5ft basin from Silchester
  • comment Try Museum of Reading
•  
  • name Clausentum Mortar
  • site Bitterne (Clausentum), c.1990
  • grid SU 43 13
  • source Southampton Museum of Archaeology database 2003-01-20
  • desc Base of a Purbeck Marble Mortar. 2 lugs, one on either side. 55mm high 266mm diameter.
  • desc The presence of lugs suggests that not only the base survives, so measurements may be B 266mm?, H 55?
  • loc Southampton Museum of Archaeology, Winkle Street, A.1993.40.34
  • subst Soton Mus: PM
  • date Soton Mus: Roman
•  
  • name Neatham Mortar
  • site Neatham, Hants, 1969-79
  • grid SU 74 40
  • source Cool H 2005 p.55
  • publ - Timby and Peacock 1986 p.135 no.518
  • desc Cool: a single Purbeck mortar. Original publication not yet seen.
  • subst Cool: PL
• 
  Isle of Wight
•  
  • name Brading Mortar
  • site Brading, IW
  • grid SZ 60 86
  • source Dunning's map
  • publ - Price FGH, Price JE 1881
  • publ Price JE, Price FGH 1884
  • publ - VCH Hants 1 131-316
  • publ - 1958 Bull Inst Archaeol (Lond) 1 55-74 DCM has 1968-present
  • publ Tomalin DJ 1987 p.88
  • publ - Sherwin GA 1926
  • publ - Sydenham EA 1945
  • desc Price 1884: Chamber 1: roofing slabs of Bembridge stone with nails in situ. Chamber 3: mosaic of 2 gladiators. Chamber 6: Orpheus pavement. p.55: no.62 Hone stone; no.64 Mortarium of PM; no.65 Querns.
  • desc Tomalin 1987: Illus. G4. Mortar, Purbeck marble. Diam. 16cm, height 5.6cm. Dressed segmental pattern on base. From room 16 in the aisled building in the Brading villa. BVC 1017.16.2
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 196mm, B 160, C 144, D 124, H 56, I 48, K 20, L 20, P 20, Q 20. B and H agree with the values in Tomalin's text. Explanation
  • loc Brading Villa Collection 1017.16.2
  • subst PM
•  
  • name Carisbrooke Mortar
  • site Carisbrooke, IW
  • grid SZ 48 88
  • source Dunning's map
  • publ Tomalin DJ 1987 p.88
  • publ - Smith CR 1868
  • publ - Sherwin GA 1926
  • publ - Sydenham EA 1945
  • desc mortarium mentioned by Dunning in 5th Richborough Report p.110-114 as having `a large lug with runnel' and otherwise like the second mortar from Richborough
  • desc Tomalin: Illus. G5. Stone mortar. Purbeck marble. Diam. 34cm. Possibly semicircular like those found at Fishbourne palace [ which are fixed basins, not mortars : JP ]. External face is crudely dressed and suggests it is either unfinished or intended to be countersunk into a mortar bed. From an unknown context at Carisbrooke villa.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A-C 112mm?, B-C 50mm?, H 44?, I 24, J 16, P 60?, Q 36, R 24. Explanation True diameter hard to determine from the fragment. This is an unusual shallow bowl with lug almost the same depth (Q) as the body (H). Possibly should be in the Vessels section, except it has a mortar-like pouring groove. Cf. the second mortar from Richborough
  • loc Dunning 1968: Carisbrooke Castle Museum; Tomalin: IWCAC 503.0.16
  • subst Tomalin: Purbeck marble
  • comment This item really belongs in the section of Vessels other than mortars and is only here because it has been published as a "mortar"
• 
  Wiltshire
•  
  • name Westbury Mortar
  • site Westbury, Wilts
  • grid ST 86 50
  • source Dunning's map
  • desc ``PM'' mortar listed in Dunning's map on which more enquiries are required; Beavis 1970 p.201 mentions a mortar from Westbury and guesses it may be in a private collection
  • comment Devizes Museum suggest Westbury Ironworks Roman site, Cunnington ME 1910, but this contains no reference to stone mortars. Robert Hopkins hints the Westbury finds were at Exeter museum till c.1960
  • cont Paul Robinson, Devizes Museum
  • cont Robert Hopkins
•  
  • name Littlecote Mortar
  • site Littlecote villa, near Ramsbury
  • grid SU 29 70
  • source Paul Robinson, Devizes Museum
  • publ Walters B 1992; summary of excavations, intent to publish in full in due course; no mention of stone mortar
  • publ - 1957, VCH Wilts I(i) 198
  • desc Robinson: PM mortar
  • desc Walters: occupation from Roman period to C18; ?much stone roofing material including `cream or white shelly limestone'?
  • loc Walters: donated to Devizes museum
  • subst Robinson: PM
  • comment Orpheus mosaic found 1727
  • cont Bryn Walters, excavator (written to 2001 July 20)
• 
  Sussex
•  
  • name Fishbourne Mortar
  • site Fishbourne, Neronian builders' yard
  • grid SU 84 05
  • publ Cunliffe 1971 p.40, fig.23 no.2
  • desc Fragment of a mortar of PM. Builders' working yard.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: B 180mm?, C 156?, H 48?, K 12? Explanation
  • subst PM
  • date from context, presumably AD43-68
• 
  Kent
•  
  • name Darenth Mortar
  • site Darenth, Kent
  • grid TQ 56 70
  • source Dunning's map
  • publ Payne G 1897 no PL
  • publ Black EW 1981 no PL
  • publ - Black EW 1987
  • publ - Greenfield et al. 1948
  • publ - 1932 VCH Kent 3 111-113
  • desc ``PM'' mortar listed in Dunning's map on which more enquiries are required
  • comment Bromley museum doesn't know 2001-08-10, advises Maidstone or Dartford museum
•  
  • name Lullingstone Mortar
  • site Lullingstone, Kent
  • grid TQ 53 65
  • source Dunning's map
  • publ Meates GW 1987 p.59
  • desc Fig 22 no 48: fragment of a mortar. Broken shell limestone from Purbeck. From the destruction level of the baths.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: D 230mm, K 34, L 34 Explanation
  • subst PL; Broken Shell Limestone is probably Clements DB220
  • date Building abandoned in C3, reoccupied late C3. Christian paintings of C4. Baths were pulled down after AD 385 (vol.1 p.96).
  • comment See also the rubber and the pestle (not PL) from this site
  • comment Try Canterbury Museums
•  
  • name Richborough Mortar no.1
  • site Richborough
  • grid TR 32 60
  • publ Dunning GC, The Stone Mortars, in Cunliffe BW 1968, Fifth Richborough Report p110-114
  • desc Fragment of curved side of mortar with polished surface. Part of one lug remains. Stone fort ditch, middle layer. No.898
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 300mm, B 246, C 196, K 20 Explanation
  • desc Drawings
  • subst Dunning: PM
  • comment 11 stone mortars in all, of which 2 are PM and the rest neither PL nor Portland stone
  • comment Try Canterbury Museums, or maybe better Maidstone museum (see the location of the architectural fragments)
•  
  • name Richborough Mortar no.2
  • site Richborough
  • grid TR 32 60
  • publ Dunning GC, The Stone Mortars, in Cunliffe BW 1968, Fifth Richborough Report p110-114
  • desc Half of shallow mortar with polished surface, underside of base roughly tooled. On the rim are 2 curved ledge-handles and part of a large lug with runnel. Chalk House, under opus signinum. No.891
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 292, B 252, C 212, D 188, K 30, L 26, P 60 (at wall), P 36 (at tip), Q 40 (at wall) Q 22 (at tip), R 16 Explanation
  • desc Drawings
  • desc Dunning: `The only other mortar of this type appears to be from the villa at Carisbrooke, IW (Carisbrooke Castle Museum) which has a large lug with runnel.' [ and is likely to be a fixed basin : JP ]
  • subst Dunning: Grey PM
  • comment 11 stone mortars in all, of which 2 are PM and the rest neither PL nor Portland stone
  • comment Try Canterbury Museums, or maybe better Maidstone museum (see the location of the architectural fragments)
•  
  • name Orpington Mortar
  • site Orpington, probably at Fordcroft villa
  • grid TQ 46 66
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.390
  • publ Tester PJ 1969
  • publ Tester PJ 1970
  • publ Palmer S 1971
  • publ Palmer S 1973
  • publ - Philp B 1996
  • publ - Elliston-Erwood FC 1954
  • desc Tester: Fordcroft villa: many fragments of Lower Greensand mortars (no PL ones)
  • desc PL mortar referred to by Thomas on which more enquiries are required
  • comment Bromley museum has only a Lower Greensand mortar: 2001-08-10
• 
  London
•  
  • name Dunning's London Mortar
  • site London
  • grid TQ 33 81
  • source Dunning GC in Cunliffe 1968, Fifth Richborough Report mentions without citation a PM mortarium in London besides others mentioned in Dunning's map.
  • desc PM mortarium on which more enquiries are required
  • subst PM
  • comment May be identical with Baily's London mortar. Cannot be the same as any of the mortars mentioned by Champion below, because they are all too recently discovered.
•  
  • name Baily's London Mortar
  • site London
  • grid TQ 33 81
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.39
  • publ Baily C 1851
  • desc ``A vessel formed of Purbeck stone, most probably a mortar, found in digging the foundations of a building on the W side of Mincing-lane, London''
  • loc Not Mus of Lond acc. to F.Grew, curator, pers.comm 2001-09-07, who suggests Brit Mus or Soc Antiq
  • subst Purbeck stone, i.e. PL, but may be Marble
  • date unstratified: may not be Roman
  • comment May be identical with Dunning's London Mortar
  • cont Francis Grew
•  
  • name Museum of London mortars
  • cat review
  • site London, presumably
  • source Francis Grew, Mus of London 2001-09-07
  • desc a few fragments of Roman Purbeck marble mortars, and ... a near-complete example that is currently on display in our Roman kitchen
  • loc Museum of London
  • subst PM
  • comment see also architectural fragments in Museum of London (1, 2) and funerary inscriptions ditto (1, 2, 3, 4)
  • cont Francis Grew, Mus of London
•  
  • name Cross Keys Court mortar
  • site London, 2-3 Cross Keys Court, Copthall Ave (MoLAS site OPT81)
  • grid TQ 33 81
  • source Champion JA 2000
  • publ Champion J 2000 p.85, fig.12, pl.2
  • desc Context 155; Mortar, frag with one handle of mortar 280mm diam [over lugs, see fig.]
  • desc Measured from fig., A 280, B 252, C 220, D 190, H 52, I 42, K 20, L 20, Q 20 Explanation
  • loc Museum of London acc 1344; seen by Champion 1999-08-17
  • subst Champion: PM
•  
  • name London Wall mortar
  • site London, 52-63 London Wall (MoLAS site LOW88)
  • grid TQ 33 81
  • source Champion JA 2000
  • desc Context 2018; Mortar; frag including one lug with groove on top surface
  • loc Museum of London acc 726
  • subst Champion: PM
•  
  • name Borough High Street mortar
  • site London, 129-191 Borough High St (MoLAS site 179BHS89)
  • grid TQ 33 81
  • source Champion JA 2000
  • desc Context 302; Mortar; diam 194mm, height 56mm, outer surface partly pecked, partly chiselled, base and top surface of rim polished, inner surface polished.
  • desc From given description: B 194mm, H 56 Explanation
  • loc Museum of London acc 265
  • subst Champion: PM
•  
  • name London Bishopsgate Mortar
  • site London, 7-11 Bishopsgate (MoLAS site ETA89)
  • grid TQ 33 81
  • source Champion JA 2000
  • publ Museum of London 1997 p.17; Champion J 2000 pl.1
  • desc Context 662; Mortar; cracked but nearly complete, outside diam incl lugs 236mm, excluding lugs 203mm, wall thickness at top 17mm, height 60mm, diam of base 142mm;
  • desc From given description: A 236mm, B 203mm, C 169, D 142, H 60, this is shallow. Explanation
  • loc Museum of London acc 407; seen by Champion 1999-08-24
  • subst Champion: PM
  • comment Same context as pestle acc 406
•  
  • name Leadenhall Court mortars
  • site Leadenhall Court, London
  • grid TQ 33 81
  • source Cool H 2005 p.54
  • publ Cool H 2006 p.183
  • publ - F. Pritchard in Milne and Wardle 1996 p.83-85
  • desc Cool 2005: Purbeck marble mortars, nos. 78, 47. Cool 2006: `Some cooks may have been using stone mortars instead of pottery ones, as fragments of a Purbeck-marble mortar were found in a context belonging to this phase'. Pritchard's original publication not yet seen; it refers to evidence of grinding red pigment. Total number of mortars unclear till original publication seen, but it includes at least one other "Purbeck" mortar (p.83 no.77).
  • subst Cool: PM
• 
  East Anglia
•  
  • name Colchester Mortar
  • site Colchester
  • grid TL 99 25
  • source Dunning's map
  • desc Colchester Museums: A mortar in PM from a Roman grave, no.213 in the unpublished inventory of graves compiled by MR Hull. It was discovered on the Abbey Field at Colcheste and is described as deep, with sloping sides and 4 lateral projections. Height 6.25in, mouth diam. 14.375in.
  • desc From given description: C 365, H 159 Explanation
  • loc Colchester Museums, COLEM 1926.5211.4
  • subst Colchester Museums: PM
•  
  • name Colchester St John's Mortar
  • site Colchester, St John's Abbey, 1920
  • grid TL 99 25
  • source Dr PR Sealey, asst curator of archaeology, Colchester Museums Service, 2001 July
  • desc A carved block of PM, reused as a mortar with 2 small lugs (originally there were 4). Chance find at St John's Abbey 1920
  • loc Colchester Museums, COLEM 1946.7
  • subst Colchester Museums: PM
•  
  • name Colchester North Hill Mortar
  • site Colchester, North Hill
  • grid TL 99 25
  • publ Dunnett BRK 1967 p.45
  • desc Fragment of mortarium in PM, unstratified.
  • loc Colchester Museum
  • subst PM
  • comment Wrote Colchester Museums 2001 July 6
•  
  • name Balkerne Lane Mortar
  • site Colchester, Balkerne Lane, 1973-6
  • grid TL 99 25
  • source Paul Sealey, Colchester Museums Service, 2001 July
  • publ Crummy NC 1983 p.76, fig.79, no.2084
  • desc Purbeck marble mortar fragment. From construction trench of cellar. Fragment of the rim with a plain lug. Dished. Internal diam. at rim 148mm.
  • desc From given description: C 148mm Explanation
  • loc Colchester Museums
  • subst Crummy: PM
  • date 200-300AD (site period 5c)
  • comment Also mentioned by Cool 2005 p.55, who does not know the other Colchester mortars
  • cont Paul Sealey
•  
  • name Great Dunmow Mortar
  • site Great Dunmow, Essex
  • grid TL 62 22
  • source Cool H 2005 p.55
  • publ - Wickenden NP 1988 p.60 no.10
  • desc Cool: Purbeck mortar. Original publication not yet seen
  • subst Cool: PL
•  
  • name Gestingthorpe Mortar
  • site Hill Farm, Gestingthorpe, Essex
  • grid TL 81 38
  • source Cool 2005 p.55
  • publ - Draper J 1985 p.75
  • desc Cool: Purbeck mortar. Original publication not yet seen
  • subst Cool: PL
• 
  Midlands
•  
  • name Gloucester Mortar
  • site Gloucester
  • grid SO 84 18
  • source pers. comm. of the curator at Gloucester to Beavis
  • desc fragment of mortarium
  • desc Gloucester Museum catalogue, via Susan Byrne pers.comm: `mortar of purbeck marble- fragment of side. Roman. cf Maiden castle p251, Arch News Letter I part II (1949) p15. Found in Gloucester with Roman remains'.
  • desc Illustrations, used by kind permission of Gloucester City Museum and Art Gallery:
    1: side view, the mortar tilted, lug to right
    2: similar to 1, the mortar levelled
    3: perpendicular basal view
  • desc Byrne: `I think the mortar is PM rather than PL. It is very hard and gritty, and ... looks exactly the same as the PM candelabrum'
  • loc Gloucester Museum ref.A1313
  • subst from picture and Byrne: PM
  • comment Watkins to britarch March 2001: `There are Roman stone mortaria. Examples have been recorded from Frocester in Gloucestershire - one now in the City Museum and Art Gallery Gloucester' but Byrne (May 2001) says this is not PL; see also negative findings by E Price
  • comment Byrne to JP May 2001: `I seem to remember that there were various bits of purbeck from one of Henry Hurst's sites (77/69 Longsmith street) which could be Roman and of interest'
  • cont Malcolm Watkins
  • cont Susan Byrne
•  
  • name Gloucester Longsmith Street mortars (two)
  • site Gloucester, Longsmith Street, c.1969
  • grid SO 84 18
  • source pers comm Sue Byrne, Gloucester Museum
  • publ Hurst H 1972
  • desc 2 Purbeck stone mortar fragments
  • desc Index cards in Gloucester Museum: excavation 77/69
    XI, context 51 small find 129: part of a ?Purbeck marble ornamental basin; mortar (seen by G D[unning]). Other finds from same trench and context: 128, lump of CuSO4 ? NB: XI context 54 = tegula
    IV, context 55D small find 829: part of PM vessel; mortar (seen by G[Dunning]). In general index to excav. sf 829 is listed as coming from context 25d (not 55D) and from that context a bone comb was found (sf 22)
  • loc Gloucester Museum and Art Gallery, 77/69 sf 129 and 77/69 sf 829
  • subst Report by Dunning GC, not mentioned in Hurst 1972: PM
  • date Hurst 1972: nothing to date the mortars but `nothing to contradict Nervian foundation of the colony'. Legionary fortress c.65 to 96-8AD, colony 96-8, c125 part-timber buildings replace colony structures, c150- more stone buildings
  • comment In Hurst H 1972 the site is referred to as Berkeley Street, as the telephone exchange site lay on the corner of Longsmith Street and Berkeley Street
  • cont Sue Byrne
•  
  • name Wroxeter Mortar
  • site Wroxeter
  • grid SJ 57 08
  • source Dunning's map
  • desc ``PM'' mortar listed in Dunning's map and also mentioned without citation by Dunning in Cunliffe 1968, on which more enquiries are required
  • comment Wrote Rowley's House Museum 2001-06-13
  • cont Colin Wallace suggests Dr Roger White
•  
  • name Verulamium Mortar
  • site St Albans
  • grid TL 13 07
  • source Dunning's map
  • desc About half of the mortar survives including 2 lugs (apparently of 4), neither with pouring groove. Marked on the broken edge 'Ver A.III.33 NW of R.3'. From Insula II or III of Verulamium, probably the latter, 1933. Apparently not in Wheeler's report, but may be in his notebooks. David Thorold, pers. comm. January 2008. Pictures
  • desc Dimensions, from David Thorold: B 225 (approx.), D 195, H 95 Explanation
  • loc Verulamium Museum
  • subst PM
  • cont David Thorold, Verulamium Museum
•  
  • name Sketchley Mortar
  • cat REJECT
  • site Sketchley, Leicestershire, c.1895
  • grid SP 423 931
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.39
  • publ Pickering AJ 1935 p.188
  • desc Thomas refers to a mortar in Jewry Wall Museum, Leicester, as PL. This mortar is almost certainly the same as one found by Richard Pollard in the Pickering collection, which has been on loan to Leicester Museums since 1973. This mortar is complete, four-lugged, with pouring groove on one lug, and not PL.
  • desc Photo (from the Pickering Collection, kindly provided by Leicestershire Museums); Card in the mortar showing comment "not PM"
  • desc Measurements, by Richard Pollard: B 178mm, C 140mm, H 105mm Explanation
  • loc On loan to Leicester Museums, L.A39.1989.212.0
  • subst Crinoid limestone, ?Carboniferous
  • date Roman
  • comment Other mortars known to Leicester Museums are either not Roman or not limestone.
  • comment Haverfield 1918 doesn't mention a PL mortar from Sketchley
  • comment Many thanks to Richard Pollard for his response to my Lucerna article
•  
  • name Baldock Mortar 775
  • site Baldock, Hertfordshire, 1968-72
  • grid TL 24 34
  • source Cool H 2005 p.54
  • publ Stead and Rigby 1986 p.179
  • desc 775. Two fragments from a stone mortar, each with squared-off lug ... Polished interior, rough and tooled finish over exterior including underside of base. Heavily used ... base worn away or even holed. Generally weathered-looking.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 234mm, B 207, C 180, D 153, H 54, I 45, K 15, L 15, P 36, Q 21 (Less than 1/4 of mortar appears to remain; only one lug shown, with no groove) Explanation
  • subst Stead and Rigby: PM
  • date Mid-third cent. layer
•  
  • name Baldock Mortar 776
  • site Baldock, Hertfordshire, 1968-72
  • grid TL 24 34
  • source Cool H 2005 p.54
  • publ Stead and Rigby 1986 p.179
  • desc 776. Fragment from a larger example of the same type of mortar [as no. 775] and from the same source.
  • desc Measured from published drawing: A 327mm, B 276, C 243, D 102, H 64, I 53, K 27, L 27, P 42, Q 22.5 (Less than 1/4 of mortar appears to remain; lug has no groove) Explanation
  • subst Stead and Rigby: PM
  • date AD 90-120 layer
•  
  • name Cirencester Mortar
  • site Cirencester
  • grid SP 02 01
  • source Michael Fulford, lecture at DCM 2004-12-03
  • desc Purbeck Marble mortar at Cirencester: more enquiries are required
  • subst Fulford: PM
• 
  Wales
•  
  • name Caerleon Mortar
  • site Caerleon, 1927--9
  • grid ST 32 90
  • source Dunning's map
  • publ Nash-Williams V E 1932 p.64, fig. 14.5 (thanks to Julie Reynolds) and p.93
  • publ Murray-Threipland L 1967
  • desc Nash-Williams 1932, p.93: ``Fig.14 no.5: Fragment of a mortar of Purbeck marble. As Dr North points out, it is rare to find a soft stone like PM used for such a purpose. (From surface layer.)''
  • desc Photograph, Fig.14 no.5, is small (about 1/3 scale) and printed from a half-tone block; it shows that one lug survives, and this lug is without a pouring groove. The surface appearance is consistent with an even distribution of gastropod shells about 5mm across.
  • desc Measured from photograph, B 280 (estimate, as incomplete), H 120 at least, P 42mm (but the lug is viewed about 15 deg. from end-on, so maybe a bit more), Q 75, K and L not determinable from the photo, which is from the outside. Maximum visible width of fragment about 155mm. Explanation
  • desc Murray-Threipland 1967: ``See also Prysg, Caerleon Reports of Nat Mus of Wales, for a fragment of a PM mortar unstratified''. This must refer to Nash-Williams' find.
  • subst Nash-Williams, Murray-Threipland: PM
  • comment Wrote Nat Mus of Wales 2001-06-24
  • comment see a negative report in `RB in 1931'
  • cont Thanks to David Evans for the Murray-Threipland papers
  • cont Julie Reynolds, Caerleon Museum, supplied details of Nash-Williams publication in response to my Lucerna article
  • cont Colin Wallace suggests Richard Brewer
•  
  • name Caerwent Mortar
  • site Caerwent
  • grid ST 46 90
  • source Dunning's map
  • source Thomas C
  • publ Dunning GC 1948
  • publ - Dunning and Evans (?)
  • publ - Nash-Williams VE 1951
  • publ - Nash-Williams VE 1953
  • publ - Nash-Williams VE 1953b
  • desc ``PM'' mortar listed in Dunning's map and by Thomas on which more enquiries are required
  • desc Dunning 1948: Pound Lane site. 3 dozen rotary querns, 2 of Rhenish lava and the rest of local stone. Lead pig stamped LEG II AUG with early C3 pottery. No PL mentioned
  • comment Ashby, Hudd and Martin's reports in early 1900s do not mention PL objects.
  • comment Pound Lane dig, and Dunning, were mentioned in RB in 1948, 1949, JRS 39 without mention of PL; also, a year or so later, VE Nash-Williams reported Dunning's finds in BBCS 13 36ff (not yet seen).
  • comment No stone mortar mentioned by Grimes 1931 or Craster 1954. Arch. Cambr. (1933) 86 114--119 not yet seen.
• 
  Northern Britain
•  
  • name Corbridge Mortar 1
  • site Corbridge, Hadrian's Wall, building XI
  • grid NY 99 65
  • source Dunning map
  • source Treleven Haysom, pers. comm.
  • publ Dunning GC, in Cunliffe (1968), Fifth Richborough Report 110-114 mentions in passing a Purbeck mortarium at Corbridge, without citation
  • desc Corbridge Museum, 2001-06-14: Purbeck Marble mortar, CO11317, marked `XIa' which seems to mean that it came from the large courtyard building called `Site XI'. Yellowish/off-white, wall and base frag, flat rim with triangular lug, interior and top of rim polished, height 52mm width 123mm depth 20mm; Picture, courtesy of Corbridge Museum
  • desc Measured from photograph: A 218mm, B 194, C 179; inferred from museum statement: H 52; measured from photograph: P 29. Explanation
  • loc Corbridge Museum, display case 11, CO11317
  • subst Corbridge Museum: PM
  • date Building in use from C2 to C4; mortar may be earlier
  • comment See also Corbridge Mortar 2 and Corbridge pestles
  • comment Excav. reports by Woolley L (1906) and Forster RH (1907-1912) in Arch. Aeliana generally lack petrological description, even of important inscribed stones
  • cont Trev Haysom, St Aldhelm's Quarry, Worth Matravers, 1999
  • cont Georgina Plowright, curator, Corbridge, 2001-06-14
•  
  • name Corbridge Mortar 2
  • site Corbridge, NOI
  • grid NY 99 65
  • source pers.comm. G Plowright
  • desc Purbeck Marble mortar fragment, yellowish/off-white, wall and base frag, thick wall with frag of lug remaining, worn and damaged, height 80mm width 138mm depth 28mm; Picture, courtesy of Corbridge Museum
  • desc Measured from photograph: A 247mm, B 206, C 153; inferred from museum statement: H 80; measured from photograph: P 41. Explanation
  • loc Corbridge Museum, CO11316
  • subst Corbridge Museum: PM
  • date NOI
  • comment See also Corbridge Mortar 1 and Corbridge pestles
  • cont Georgina Plowright, curator, Corbridge, 2001-06-14
•  
  • name Aldborough Mortar
  • site Aldborough, Yorks (Isurium Brigantum)
  • grid SE 40 67
  • source Thomas C in Sunter and Woodward 1987 p.390
  • publ - Charlesworth 1971
  • desc PL mortar referred to by Thomas on which more enquiries are required
  • comment Wrote Aldborough museum 2001-06-24
  • comment See also Negative searches section
•  
  • name Castleford Mortar
  • site Castleford, 1974--1985
  • grid SE 42 25
  • source Cool 2005 p.55
  • publ - Cool and Philo 1998 p.264 no.130 (J. C. Clarke)
  • desc Purbeck mortar. Original publication not yet seen
  • subst Cool: PL
  • date mid-second century context
•  
  • name Catterick Mortar
  • site Catterick, Yorks.
  • grid SE 23 97
  • source Cool 2005 p.55
  • publ - Wilson 2002 p.307 no.24.3.2.1
  • desc Purbeck mortar. Original publication not yet seen
  • subst Cool: PL
•  
  • name South Shields mortar
  • site South Shields
  • grid NZ 36 66
  • source Cool 2005 p.55
  • publ - Bidwell and Speak 1994
  • desc Mortar of shelly limestone. Original publication not yet seen
  • subst Cool: shelly limestone of uncertain origin

Total 144 mortars (excluding DOUBTFULs, REJECTs etc.), of which 12 are unconfirmed

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