Priceless Roman sarcophagus damaged beyond repair in Dorchester

A 1,600-year-old Roman sarcophagus being kept in Brownsword Hall in Pummery Square at Poundbury has been damaged beyond repair.

Th artefact, which had its lid removed and smashed sometime between 11pm on Saturday 15 April and 6am on Sunday 16 April 2017, was empty.

PCSO Matt Barton, of Dorchester police, said: “Because of the age of the item, it was considered priceless and irreplaceable.

“Due to the weight of the lid, it is likely to have taken several people to remove it and I am appealing for anyone who has seen anything suspicious in the area on the night in question or who has any information to contact me.”