The East Dorset Antiquarian Society (EDAS) has received the prestigious Britannia Award from the Roman Society, recognising their ‘outstanding voluntary contribution to Roman archaeology in Britain’ for excavations at Druce Farm near Puddletown. From 2012 to 2018, a core team of 20 EDAS volunteers – led by Lilian Ladle and Andrew Morgan – excavated the site of a Roman villa, supported by members of other local groups.
Over 4,800 volunteer days uncovered the villa complex, Neolithic remains and extensive Roman features. The project actively welcomed the public, including school visits and open days, and was praised for its high-quality research and rapid publication.
In 2022, Ladle’s monograph The Rise and Decline of Druce Farm Roman Villa (60–650 CE) was published to acclaim.
EDAS, based in Wimborne, continues to offer practical archaeology opportunities to its 270 members. and remains committed to exploring and preserving Dorset’s rich archaeological heritage.
