EDO6366 - Park Field, East Holton, Wareham St Martin; excavation 2011

Three trenches, each measuring 5m long by 1.2m wide aligned approximately north-south, and staggered east-west, were dug by hand. Trench 1 was set out 3m from the present fence line. The soil profile here comprised a dark brown soft sandy loam with occasional gravel, up to 0.6m deep and much disturbed by tree roots, on top of an iron pan. Finds of medieval to modern date were found throughout this layer. As excavation progressed the middle trench (Trench 2) was extended eastwards by 3m in length and 1m in width and south by 1m in length and 2.2 m in width. A dark brown soft sandy loam with occasional gravel, up to 0.35m deep and with medieval finds throughout. In the southern part of the trench was a gravel spread containing within it deposits of medieval pottery and the base of a hearth. The medieval pottery is mid/late 12th to early 13th century in date and is comparable with assemblages from nearby sites. There are no high-class imported vessels, suggesting this is a fairly low-status settlement. Post-medieval pottery, predominantly Verwood type and of 18th to 19th-century date, was also found.