EWX1902 - Land adjacent to Bell Street, Herston, Swanage; excavation 1997

Southern Archaeological Services (SAS) conducted an archaeological excavation of land adjacent to Bell Street during April 1997 in advance of housing development and following a desk-based assessment and field evaluation undertaken by Wessex Archaeology. Further observations on groundworks associated with the development continued until June 1997. A shallow rectangular feature was found, associated with at least two phases of post holes, and dated by pottery to the beaker period (c. 2600-1800 BC). It is possible that these features formed part of a structure of uncertain function, probably a grave. Further, undated, post-holes were scattered over the surrounding area. All archaeological features were cut into a remnant of a natural deposit confined to a hollow between periglacial features. It is assumed that the bulk of this deposit, together with any other archaeological features, has been eroded either by natural agencies or by ploughing, or a combination of both. All archaeological features were sealed by a layer of colluvium up to 0.85m thick and containing aretfacts ranging in date from the beaker period to Modern. A lynchet on the southern edge of the excavation area was composed of material indistinguishable from the colluvium.