EDO5388 - 1 Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury; evaluation 2003

An evaluation carried out by ASI in connection with a planning application for residential development to the rear of 1 Salisbury Street. Two test pits measuring 2m by 2m were dug by hand within the 'footprint' of the proposed development, understood to be a terrace of three houses. These excavations revealed approximately 2000mm of deeply-stratified deposits, amongst which were a cess pit, soil build up layers, a wall foundation and a linear ditch containing pottery, ceramic building material, animal bone and iron slag. Pottery recovered from most of these deposits indicated a date range of 12th to 14th century for the lower layers, with post-medieval material recovered from the upper layers. The excavator concluded that the deposits represent 'backland' activity, as might be expected in this location, with some originating perhaps from off-site terracing.