Archaeology in The Parish
Poldowrian Site and Archaeological MuseumPoldowrian is a multi-aged site ranging from the late Mesolithic to the Iron Age (c5,500-200BC), situated between Coverack and Kennack Sands, (NGR SW 74851690).
It was discovered in 1967 by the late Mr Peter Hadley and Mrs Hadley who had moved to the farm in 1964. Mr Hadley had always felt that the area had possibilities for archaeological discoveries with its close proximity to the Lankidden Iron Age Cliff Castle and a cliff fire in 1967 was to be the beginning of remarkable discoveries.
A field called Castle Close acquired in 1968, revealed a circular feature, which turned out to be the remains of a prehistoric round house. Ten years later in 1978 pottery sherds were discovered during ploughing.
Hut circle
with doorway in foreground
Bronze Age
Pottery from hut circle
Bronze Age
Pottery from hut circleAs work continued on the farm-land being reclaimed, a house built and valley garden created, worked flint tools began to be discovered.
As a result of all the finds Mr Hadley was anxious that parts of the farm should be excavated and from 1978 a series of excavations were undertaken by Mr Hadley, members of the Cornwall Archaeology Society directed by Daphne Harris, and George Smith from the Central Excavation Unit of the Department of the Environment.
Although pottery and flints have been found over much of the farm there are four main areas, which have been examined in detail: -
- The Mesolithic Area known as the Rock Mound dated from hazel nut fragments to 5,550 - 5,250BC.
- The Neolithic Site in North Pond Field dated from charcoal to 3,850 - 3,600 BC Cal.
- The Beaker Mound, yielding one of the best finds of Beaker Pottery in Cornwall, dating c1,540 BC.
- The Bronze Age Hut dated to c1,380 BC.
Re-construction of a Round House
The Iron Age area nearer the cliffs has not
been examined in depth.
As a vast amount of material from all the areas was found, (over 48,000 Mesolithic flints alone) Mr. Hadley set up a small Museum in a barn on the farm to display the material, some items were also deposited with the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro.
As a vast amount of material from all the areas was found, (over 48,000 Mesolithic flints alone) Mr. Hadley set up a small Museum in a barn on the farm to display the material, some items were also deposited with the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro.
Mr. Peter Hadley
The museum officially opened to the public in 1980.
The Museum and Hut Circle are open to the public free of charge by kind permission of Mrs Hadley, throughout the year by appointment (contact 01326 280130/434) and every Wednesday in August, 10am-5pm.
Other sites in the Parish
Chynalls Cliff Castle, Coverack NGR SW78601745.
Lankidden Cliff Castle, west of Coverack NGR SW75571652.
Goonhilly Downs, over 65 Bronze Age Barrows and the Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age 'Dry Tree' Standing Stone NGR SW72562119.
Trebarveth, Romano-British Salt Manufacturing Site, on the seaward side of the public footpath between Coverack and Lowland Point NGR SW79601931.
For more information View the St Keverne Parish Archaeology Check List
The museum officially opened to the public in 1980.
The Museum and Hut Circle are open to the public free of charge by kind permission of Mrs Hadley, throughout the year by appointment (contact 01326 280130/434) and every Wednesday in August, 10am-5pm.
Other sites in the Parish
Chynalls Cliff Castle, Coverack NGR SW78601745.
Lankidden Cliff Castle, west of Coverack NGR SW75571652.
Goonhilly Downs, over 65 Bronze Age Barrows and the Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age 'Dry Tree' Standing Stone NGR SW72562119.
Trebarveth, Romano-British Salt Manufacturing Site, on the seaward side of the public footpath between Coverack and Lowland Point NGR SW79601931.
For more information View the St Keverne Parish Archaeology Check List
