Archaeologists Floored by Dramatic Discoveries

The archaeological excavation of a medieval Benedictine abbey, demolished almost 500 years ago during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, is near completion. Cerne Abbey in Dorset had been left virtually untouched since 1539 until excavations began last year. The latest four-week four-week long dig commenced just last Saturday,10th of August...

Exciting Results...

Researchers from the University of Sheffield unexpectedly discovered tiled floors during last year's dig, as well as an intact burial, both of which have significant historical interest. This latest excavation has caused excavation director Dr Hugh Willmott to report that "this year's dig has produced some really exciting results".

Dr Willmott also said that Cerne Abbey would have been about the size of Sherbourne Abbey before it was "completely destroyed and wiped off the map. Despite its size, very little is known about it. Even people who live here, and have lived here all their lives, beyond knowing there was once an abbey, there wasn't much they could say about it."

The team, made up of international archaeologists as well as local people, had to overcome hot weather and handle huge amounts of rubble in their quest to discover the position and layout of buildings, as well as look for evidence of an Anglo-Saxon predecessor to the abbey. Innovative use of ground penetrating radar (GPR) in 2022 had initially located some of the key buildings. 

Cerne Abbey was founded in 987, but when Henry V111 ordered the dissolution of the monasteries between 1536 and 1541 it was plundered and demolished, leaving only the Abbot's Porch and Guest House. There had been no significant excavations since then except by gravediggers. 

This latest dig was recorded by the Time Team TV show, to be streamed online. Cerne Historical Society, which is supporting the project, said that two trenches dug in 2023 revealed dressed stone and a male skeleton, thought to be that of an abbot. Two further trenches were dug this time, on the south-west and north-east corners of the cloister. 

The Rule of Saint Benedict, a regulation of monastic code, which spread widely from the eighth century, has deeply informed the spiritual life of monks for centuries since, and is still in practice in monastic communities around the world today.

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