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June 2023 June 2023

BERE REGIS WILDLIFE AND BERE REGIS HISTORY SOCIETY
ENVIRONMENT GROUP
Very thin Pottery Finds

The sun is out, butterflies are on the wing, foxgloves During the last four and a half years the BRHS
are in bloom, hedgerows are white with the last of the Archaeology Unit has found thousands of pieces of
hawthorn blossom and the first of guelder rose and pottery in and around Bere Regis. These high numbers
elderflower, water crowfoot is flowering in Bere give the perfect opportunity to make statistical studies
Stream, the cuckoo has been heard, the swallows and the study the evolution of pottery techniques and to
and house martins have arrived – so, it must be early see where the junction of eras take place. For instance
summer! But where are the swifts? Hope fully we’ll see them soon. Enjoy the the transition from the Anglo-Saxon/Viking period to the
warmer weather. Mediaeval in 1066 shows particular differences. These might not tie up exactly
with average national definitions, but they are particular to the use of pottery in
our location.

Souls Moor Ponies and their Conservation Work One example of the analysis of this number of
By the time you read this the ponies should be back on Souls Moor – do say samples did not become apparent until
“hello” to them when you pass, but please do not feed them or approach them relatively recently. It was noticed that a few
and keep dogs on a lead. They are there to continue munching through the percent of the Romano-British examples were
long rank grasses that built up while the area remained ungrazed. This is all in the of very thin pottery, perhaps 1.5 to 2mm
interests of good nature conservation. The benefits are apparent with an ever thickness. This was quite different to the usual
widening range of wildflowers, thicknesses of 4, 5, 6, 7mm , so what could it
including orchids, cuckoo flower, be?
marsh marigolds, ragged robin, Then, while looking at some Romano-British oil
meadow buttercup and pink lamps that had been leant to us by an
campion to name a few. Do take a Archaeology Society further up-country, it
look and, of course, these flowers are became clear that this is where the thin
not only attractive but have real pottery came from. No other vessel would
wildlife value. survive at this level of fragility. These clay
For those of you concerned for the Romano-British oil lamp lamps were typically about 80mm in diameter
ponies’ welfare, be assured they are and had a wick at the nozzle which had one
regularly checked and they have a end in the olive oil in the base of the lamp. A small hole in the top part or fixed-lid
plentiful supply of water from the allowed air in so that the flame didn't flicker. The photo shows one of the lamps on
pond. long-term loan to us, which we "swapped" for some example-pottery sherds which
originated from the Verwood-area clay pits some years ago.

The Cuckoo John Pitfield, Projects Secretary

Whilst you are unlikely to easily spot a cuckoo you may have already heard one.
They are about and may on occasions be heard from around the village.
However, the surest way of hearing them is by visiting Wareham Forest – it seems
to be a favourite haunt.
The old nursery rhyme sums up the cuckoo’s behaviour well - The cuckoo comes
in April. She sings her song in May. In the middle of June she changes her tune
and in July she flies away,

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