Archeology

Most of this collection is local in origin and some of the objects in it are over 2000 years old. A collection of archaeological material from Palaeolithic to post-medieval times numbering approximately 875 objects. The most notable material is Romano-British from two local sites: Waddon Hill (a Roman hill-fort from AD 45 - 60) and Watton Hill.
The material from Waddon Hill, comprises two collections. James Ralls excavated objects between 1876 and 1886. James Ralls was a local ironmonger who was interested in local history. He discovered coins and bits of pottery at Waddon Hill, the Roman hillfort near Stoke Abbot, which led to the excavation of the site in the 1960s. The Tolley Collection, from the family who own the site, was excavated by Dr Graham Webster between 1959 and 1969 and the reports published. Most of the material was excavated, but much of it was found by chance in locations such as gardens, parks and school playing fields.