EWX717 - Abbotsbury Old Malthouse; excavation and recording of the remains of the abbey water mill 1984-85

The Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society made a full record of the remains of the 'Old Malthouse' during the winter of 1984-5, although not finally completed till November 1985. This work followed on from the uncontrolled excavation of the interior infill of the building by the then tenant of Abbey House during the summer of 1984. The archaeological work entailed a full buildings survey of the remains of the mill and a record of the below ground remains. This latter record involved a small amount of archaeological excavation. This work revealed that the building known as the 'old Malthouse' was actually the abbey water mill. At the same time a study of the documentary evidence for the mill was undertaken. Most of the fabric of the standing building dates to the 14th century. It probably housed two identical water wheels side by side in a central chamber, each driving a pair of mill stones. This arrangement may have replaced an earlier mill on the same site. An east wing of uncertain function was added in the late 14th century. After this the double wheeled arrangement was replaced by a single wheel, possibly in the mid 15th century. The building was converted to a dwelling following the dissolution and remained as such until the mid-18th century (1).