EWX1137 - Deans Court Lane, Wimborne Minster; evaluation 1990

An archaeological evaluation funded by Radley House Partnership in connection with proposed development. Eight trenches were excavated to examine the possible impact of the proposed development, and in particular the line of a postulated early-medieval defensive circuit, and the possible continuation of the medieval suburb of The Leaze. Excavation on the western side of Deans Court Lane revealed a series of shallow quarry pits dug into the natural gravel, located at 0.3m below the present ground surface. Only one feature earlier than the quarrying was encountered: a heavily-truncated posthole. A clay floor, apparently for an outhouse, was built over backfilled quarry pits; this feature was associated with eighteenth-century pottery. Work in the back garden of 7 Deans Court Lane revealed no archaeological features. Trenches to the rear of the North Lodge exposed a sequence of water-lain silts which could not be dated. A shallow gully cut into the silts was the only archaeological feature observed. It was sealed by a spread of demolition debris.