Monument record MDO19321 - Christchurch Centre (site W9); 17th century gullies

Excavation at Christchurch Centre, Bargates, Christchurch, during 1981 (site W9), revealed two 17th century gullies [48 & 9]. Both were approximately E-W aligned and gully [9] was cut into the fill of ditch [48]. [48] probably dates from the mid 17th century and [9] from the mid-late 17th century. Neither of them had posts set in them as part of their function. They may represent tenement boundaries at the rear of properties fronting on Bargates.

Wessex Archaeological Committee conducted an excavation at Christchurch centre, Bargates, Christchurch, during 1981(site W9) in order to investigate the southern limits of the pagan Saxon cemetery. The results were subsequently published in PDNHAS volume 105 (Davies 1983).

The excavation revealed two 17th century gullies [48 & 9]. Both were approximately E-W aligned and gully [9] was cut into the fill of ditch [48]. Gully [9] was shallow and roughly U-profiled, 0.35m wide by 0.12-0.20m deep, extending the full width of the trench (3m as excavated). It was filled with an homogenous dark grey sandy loam, with small gravel pebbles and occasional flecks of charcoal. It contained a relatively large amount of medieval pottery but also local post medieval ‘Verwood’ types including a storage jar fragment of 17th century date, probably pre 1670.

Ditch [48] was round bottomed, 0.95m deep and 1.6m wide. It was filled with two layers that may represent a re-cut but the fills were not sufficiently distinct to be certain. 18th century finds in the top layer are likely to be intrusive and it is more likely that the ditch belongs to the 17th century. Ditch [48] cut through two earlier ditches [102 & 157].

Neither [9] or [48] had posts set in them as part of their function. They may represent tenement boundaries at the rear of properties fronting on Bargates.

Davies, S M, 1983, Excavations at Christchurch, Dorset, 1981 to 1983; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 23-5 (Article in serial). SWX4065.

Record last edited

Oct 29 2024 4:24PM