EDO5306 - Land off Abbey Street, Cerne Abbas; evaluation 2004

Evaluation of land proposed for new development to the rear of the gardens of houses on Abbey Street and bounded to the west by the River Cerne. Four trenches were excavated, revealing evidence for medieval and post-medieval activity. Burgage plot, pit, boundary wall, tannery, tanning pit, building. Medieval archaeology was limited to soil layers and a pit. Overall, the evidence suggests that this area was not a focus for medieval activity and is likely to have been back gardens or yards during this period. Part of a boundary wall of a possible medieval burgage plot was also found. Evidence for tanning, dating from the late 17th to the late 18th century was found in three of the trenches. This comprised a number of possible tanning pits filled with large quantities of horn cores and lower leg elements of cattle, sheep and pig and a brick lined lime pit or tank. Parts of two buildings of 19th century date were also uncovered.' [1]