Archaeologists from Bournemouth University (BU) have made significant discoveries at Winterborne Kingston, unearthing artifacts and human remains that shed light on the influence of Roman conquest in CE 43. Among the finds are Roman-style wine cups and flagons, which illustrate how local customs and daily life, especially burial practices, adapted to Roman goods. For over fifteen years, BU staff and students have excavated Iron Age settlements at this Dorset site. While previous discoveries dated back to before the Roman arrival, these recent findings allow researchers to explore the experiences of those who lived through the invasion.

Dr. Miles Russell, Principal Academic in Archaeology at BU, emphasized the importance of this period, stating, “Being incorporated into the Roman Empire was one of the biggest societal changes in British history. We aimed to uncover farmsteads and burials that reveal what life was like for ordinary Britons at that time—whether they integrated into the empire, resisted, or continued their traditional ways.” 

The excavation revealed three particularly insightful graves. One grave contained the remains of two women in their thirties, buried with Roman-style wine flagons and goblets, but interred in the traditional Iron Age fetal position. This suggests that while the Romans introduced new customs, locals selectively adopted aspects that enhanced their lives, such as wine. Another grave featured two dog burials, highlighting the significance of hunting dogs in Iron Age society. Dr. Russell speculates these dogs may have been sacrificial offerings due to their simultaneous deaths and placement in the grave.