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Archaeology in The Parish
Poldowrian Site and Archaeological
Museum
Poldowrian 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.
 Hut
circle with doorway in foreground |
As work continued on the
farm-land being reclaimed,
a house built and valley
garden created, worked flint
tools began to be
discovered.
A field called Castle Close
acquired in 1968, revealed
a circular feature, which
turned out to be the
remains of a prehistoric
round house. |
Three years later in 1978 pottery sherds
were discovered during ploughing.
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. |
Bronze
Age Pottery from hut circle |
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.
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The Iron Age area nearer the cliffs has
not been examined in depth.
As vast amount of material from all the
areas was found, (over 48,000 Mesolithic
flints alone) Mr. Hadley (pictured
left) 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.
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. |
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Mr. Peter Hadley |
Re-construction of a Round House
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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
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