The idea of the East Dorset Antiquarian Society was conceived by a small group of people whilst attending a series of WEA (Worker’s Educational Association) lectures in Wimborne. Lectures were given by several well-known Dorset archaeologists, particularly Richard Bradley, Bill Putnam, Tim Schadla-Hall and David Johnston. Field trips, field walking and some involvement in excavations rounded off the classwork.
Encouraged by some of the lecturers, but especially Tim Schadla-Hall, it was felt that the group could learn more, and contribute more to our heritage, by setting up a local society. John Day, who became the first Chair, called a meeting towards the end of 1982 that agreed the approach to be taken. The inaugural members’ meeting took place at the end of March 1983, when 42 people had already signed up. The ‘antiquarian’ name was chosen to show that, while archaeology was central, the new society was interested in the past beyond what excavation could reveal.
The EDAS logo, created by a founder member of the society, depicts local East Dorset landmark: Badbury Rings. This Iron Age hillfort with Bronze Age burial mounds nearby, as well as the complex junction of Roman roads and a Romano-British temple, epitomises the rich archaeological heritage of the area.
The previous lecturers continued to be involved with EDAS, providing encouragement, guidance and information. Field walking introduced the group to ‘Farmer Green’ of Down Farm, now Dr Martin Green FSA, who has been called “the most professional of amateur archaeologists”. Martin became a stalwart of the society and remains an honorary member.
Over more than 40 years, EDAS has organised or been involved in many events intended to widen knowledge about our heritage, including day schools, lectures and site visits. Our 29 field trips have introduced members to the rich archaeology and history of places across England and Wales (and one in Scotland). We have run or assisted on many fieldwork projects, with relevant finds securely deposited and details published as appropriate – vital to ensure that what was discovered can be found by future researchers. The most important publications so far have been the monographs on:
Bestwall Quarry
- Ladle, L. and Woodward, A. 2009. Excavations at Bestwall Quarry, Wareham, 1992-2005, Volume 1: The Prehistoric Landscape. Dorset Natural History and Archaeology Society Monograph 19.
- Ladle, L. 2012. Excavations at Bestwall Quarry, Wareham, 1992-2005, Volume 2: The Iron Age and Later Landscape. Dorset Natural History and Archaeology Society Monograph 20.
Worth Matravers
- Ladle, L. 2018. Multi-period Occupation at Football Field, Worth Matravers, Dorset: Excavations 2006-2011. BAR British Series 643.
Druce Farm
- Ladle, L. 2022. The Rise and Decline of Druce Farm Roman Villa (60-650 CE): Excavations 2012-2018. BAR British Series 676.
- Druce Neolithic site (in prep)
There’s a follow up on the Worth Matravers excavation with fascinating results from ancient DNA analysis in an Antiquity paper at https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2025.10133
You might also be interested in a fairly old film (with advertisements):
- BBC South Today 2014 on Druce Farm Roman Villa (You Tube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96PSImJ7e_o
and in three unpublished reports by Lilian Ladle:
- Wimborne Square excavation 2010
- Wareham pipe kiln 2011
- In search of Druce Farm Roman bath house 2024
as well as the reports by Lilian Ladle and Andrew Morgan on our excavations for the National Trust at Keepers Lodge on the Kingston Lacy estate, with thanks to the National Trust for their agreement to make them available here: