Neolithic remains at Thomas Hardy's Dorchester home to be protected

The finds at Max Gate have been 'scheduled' by the Government

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 25th Sep 2024

Neolithic remains that sit under Dorchester author Thomas Hardy’s home, Max Gate, have been scheduled for better protection by the Government.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has taken advice from Historic England to make sure the finds are looked after for future generations.

The circular enclosure is almost 100m in diameter and is made up of ditches and pits.

A sarsen stone is visible at Max Gate to those going along to the National Trust property

Some of the pits contain sarsen stones covering human remains and others have walls inscribed with rare Neolithic spiral designs thought to date back 5,500 to 5,800 years.

The remains beneath Max Gate make up half of the wider structure known as Flagstone - the other half was excavated and destroyed in the 1980s during the construction of the Dorchester bypass.

Thomas Hardy, who trained as an architect as well as being an author, designed and built Max Gate in 1885 where he lived until his death in 1928.

The property was gifted to the National Trust by Thomas Hardy’s sister Kate in 1940, and the house formally opened to the public in 2011.

Thomas Hardy helped to uncover some of the neolithic remains in the grounds of his Max Gate home

Sir Chris Bryant, the Government's Heritage Minister said:

“The multilayered importance of this site is very special, as Thomas Hardy's discoveries at Max Gate influenced him and shaped his poetry. It shows how our historic landscape often inspires art and how the two can work beautifully in harmony.

“These Neolithic remains form one of the earliest identified monuments in the Dorchester area. Scheduling the site will ensure this piece of our history can continue to capture people’s creative imagination for many years to come.”

The sarsen stone and other neolithic finds will now be better protected

Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s Chief Executive:

“The remains of the site known as Flagstones under Max Gate are a rare example of a Neolithic monument, which can significantly contribute to our understanding of the prehistoric ceremonial landscape around Dorchester, Dorset.

“But just as important, is the site’s connection with Thomas Hardy, which highlights the ability of the past to capture the imagination of the present. The discoveries at Max Gate inspired one of England’s most important writers, and the protection of the site ensures its survival, allowing it to continue to inspire generations to come.”

Hannah Jefferson, National Trust’s General Manager for North and West Dorset:

“Thomas Hardy’s own archaeological discoveries at Max Gate featured significantly in his poems and stories, but he was also inspired to write papers, give talks locally, and display many of the artefacts found at Max Gate.

“We’ve no doubt Hardy would approve wholeheartedly with the scheduling of the Neolithic monument, and we’re delighted that we can share with visitors the true significance of his discoveries here and their connection to his creative works.”

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