Monument record MDO19305 - 43/45 High Street, Christchurch; medieval activity

An archaeological evaluation at 43/45 High Street, Christchurch, during 1995, revealed evidence for medieval activity. Two medieval features were recorded: a possible linear ditch in excess of 1.5m wide and a shallow pit some 0.6m in diameter. Both contained pottery indicating a date in the 13th-14th century, but there was no evidence as to function.

AC Archaeology conducted an archaeological evaluation at the rear of 43/45 High Street, Christchurch, during 1995 in advance of residential development. The results were subsequently published as a short note in PDNHAS volume 117 (Hawkes 1995) Although much of the monument description below is derived from an unpublished client report (Cotton, Cox and Hawkes 1995).

Excavation of three evaluation trenches revealed evidence for post medieval activity. Two medieval features were recorded: a possible linear ditch [203] in excess of 1.5m wide and aligned WNW-ESE, was excavated at the southern end of Trench 2. The full width could not be determined as the ditch lies partially outside the trench but it is likely to be in the order of c. 3m wide overall with a slightly curved base. It appeared to have a single fill of grey-brown sandy silt with sparse flint, sandstone and charcoal fragments, which produced a single sherd of medieval pottery and single pieces of tile, oyster shell and animal bone. The fill was similar in nature to the subsoil so that the depth from which the ditch had been cut could not be positively determined. There is no indication as to the purpose of this substantial feature.

A shallow pit [307] some 0.6m in diameter, was excavated at the SW end of Trench 1. it was circular or sub-circular in plan with a bowl shaped profile, 0.55m deep and filled with brownish sand. The edges were not easily defined except near the base where they cut natural gravel. The fill contained sherds of medieval pottery, burnt and worked flint, and animal bone. No trace of industrial working was noted in the feature and it is likely to be a backland domestic rubbish pit.

Hawkes, J, 1995, 43/45 High Street, Christchurch. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society (Article in serial). SDO10147.

Cotton, J, Cox, P, and Hawkes, J, 1995, The Archaeological Assessment and Evaluation of a Proposed Residential Development at the Rear of 43/45 High Street, Christchurch, Dorset (Unpublished document). SDO10148.

Record last edited

Oct 29 2024 4:20PM