Monument record MDO19326 - Rear of Old Town Hall, Christchurch (site W8); post medieval activity

Excavation at the rear of the old Town Hall, High Street, Christchurch, during 1981 (site W8), revealed evidence for post-medieval activity. This comprised a shallow round bottomed early 18th century drainage gully [61], a 19th century pit [101] cutting the gully at its west end, and six post-holes containing post-medieval material. This part of Christchurch seems to have been sparsely occupied until relatively recently.

Wessex Archaeological Committee conducted an excavation at the rear of the old Town Hall, High Street Christchurch, during 1981(site W8). The results were subsequently published in PDNHAS volume 105 (Davies 1983).

The excavation revealed evidence for post-medieval activity. This comprised a shallow, round bottomed, gully [61], 0.2m deep and c. 0.8m wide, which ran almost the full length of the south edge of the trench. Its function is uncertain but it was probably a small drainage gully. Its fill contained post medieval pottery, mainly local earthenware, suggesting an 18th century date, probably pre 1750. At its west end it was cut by a pit [101] which is probably of 19th century date.

Otherwise six post-holes [25, 45, 46, 65, 298, 360] produced post-medieval material. Two of these [45 & 46] are likely to be post medieval; but it is possible that the others might have intrusive material in them.

This part of Christchurch seems to have been sparsely occupied until relatively recently.

Davies, S M, 1983, Excavations at Christchurch, Dorset, 1981 to 1983; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 33-6 (Article in serial). SWX4065.

Record last edited

Oct 29 2024 4:26PM