Monument record MDO19335 - West of Millstream, Christchurch (site W10); medieval Mill Stream

Excavation adjacent to the west bank of the Mill Stream, Christchurch, during 1981 (site W10), revealed evidence for the cutting of the Mill Stream in the late medieval period. This comprised a re-cut [122] of the medieval defensive ditch [120] in the 12th or 13th century followed by a shifting of the water flow to the east and a strengthening of the millstream bank with wooden stakes, probably in the 13th century.

Wessex Archaeological Committee conducted an excavation adjacent to the west bank of the Mill Stream, Christchurch, during 1981(site W10). The results were subsequently published in PDNHAS volume 105 (Davies 1983).

The excavation revealed evidence for the cutting of the Mill Stream in the late medieval period. This comprised a re-cut [122] of the medieval defensive ditch [120] in the 12th or 13th century followed by a shifting of the water flow to the east and a strengthening of the millstream bank with wooden stakes, probably in the 13th century.

The latest in a series of four superimposed ditch cuts was [115], at the extreme east end of the trench. It was much shallower than the other three, the first two at least being defensive ditches. [115] contained within its fill [95] a number of vertically set wooden stakes, together with some lumps of wood, apparently randomly thrown in. the stakes were made of poplar, alder, willow and ash, and the lumps of blackthorn or cherry. The average diameter of the stakes was c. 60-80mm, and length varied from 0.15m to 0.4m. This layer contained pottery datable to the 13th century.

Feature [115] cut through the fill of ditch [122], a dark brown clayey loam with a high organic content and rubble towards the base. Pottery in this fill dated to the 12th-13th centuries giving a terminal date for ditch [122].

Davies, S M, 1983, Excavations at Christchurch, Dorset, 1981 to 1983; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 27-33 (Article in serial). SWX4065.

Record last edited

Oct 29 2024 4:31PM