Neolithic Site Under Thomas Hardy's Home Receives Protection

The ancient burial site at Max Gate in Dorchester, unearthed by the novelist, is now a scheduled monument.

The Neolithic site, discovered under Thomas Hardy's garden, is over 5,000 years old and one of the oldest in Dorchester.
Hardy, who lived at Max Gate from 1885 to 1928, found sarsen stones and human remains during his excavations in the late 19th century.
The site, part of a larger structure known as Flagstones, was partially destroyed in the 1980s but the remaining portion is now protected.
Recent excavations in 2022 confirmed the site's use during the Early Neolithic period, adding significant historical value.
The protection ensures the preservation of the site, which inspired Hardy's literary works and continues to captivate the public's imagination.