Mesolithic Site, Portland
Culverwell Mesolithic
Habitation Site
Isle of Portland, Dorset
SY585694
Director - Susann Palmer
| Reconstruction Drawing |
Susann Palmer has been working as a qualified archaeologist since 1964. She has four books and numerous papers to her name. She is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Society, and an Associate of the Museum Association. She has worked at the British Museum, and now lectures widely on archaeology.
The Culverwell site has world wide importance for two reasons.
- It is probably the oldest known site of permanent residence in Britain.
The first known use of Portland stone by man.
The site has been dated to 8000-8500 years old, and
is placed within the Mesolithic, or middle stone age. Because of the diversity
of food and facilities on the site there was probably no need for the 'normal'
seasonal nomadic movement around the area.
Underlying the main living area there is a large shell midden. On the evidence of oxygen isotope calculations, most of the shellfish were gathered during the autumn and winter periods. This indicates that there was enough food around to stay in one place.
The site has recently recieved grants for preservation and presentation to the public. A protective building has been erected over part of the living floor and houses display material and information about the site.
Click here for a summary of the excavation report.
To view the site, contact - Association for Portland Archaeology 01305-861576
1999
Bringing it to life
Following the great response from the visitors to the living history presentations this year, Susann Palmer and David Freeman, with assistance from the Association for Portland Archaeology, will be building experimental Mesolithic housing throughout 2000.
Many thanks to all the visitors on the day of the eclipse, and we got good Press and TV coverage of the event.
Meso-Man greets the dawn on the day of the Eclipse, 11 August 1999
 | Ancient Portland -Archaeology of the Isle | Susann Palmer | S.Palmer ISBN 0-9532811-0-8 | Archaeological history of Portland, and results from the Mesolithic site at Culverwell |
2000
Work started this year on a series of prehistoric style shelters.
The first to go up measures 4 metres long x 2 metres deep x 2 metres high.
It is composed of a frame of 15poles, and 20 rods, of coppiced hazel.
The poles are used as the main frame/rafters,
with the lighter rods acting as purlins, or supports, for the thatch.
The thatch is water-reed. Care has been taken
to source
the reeds from a clean environment, and free of pollutant.
This will ensure a life of up to ten years for the shelter.
The base of the shelter is pinned down with stone.
2001
Storms and gales took their toll over the winter!
The shelter actually got blown over in one of the storms
so time was spent re-erecting and repairing the shelter
during the summer.
