EDO1373 - The Cedars, Angel Lane, Shaftesbury; observations and recording 1993

Observations and recording during groundwork for a large extension at the rear of The Cedars nursing home were undertaken by AC archaeology in June-July 1993. Work consisted of: inspection of the site after general reduction in levels; observations during and following machine excavation of foundation trenches, and observations during deeper excavations for a basement-level link. A total length of almost 50m of foundation trench was observed, revealing a depth of between 0.3m and 0.6m of topsoil overlying greensand or mixed clay and greensand subsoil. The deeper excavations revealed a single large feature. Safety considerations prevented full access to this feature by archaeologists; it was excavated partly by them and partly by the building contractor in their presence. However, they were able to re-construct a cross-section of the feature, which they tentatively identified as a rubbish pit of early medieval date. The excavators felt that the pit was essentially domestic in nature, but the filling contained slag from both glass and lead working, suggesting industrial activity in the vicinity [1].