Monument record MDO19366 - Dolphin Development, Christchurch (site X11.2); 15th-16th century gravel surface

A watching brief on the site of the Dolphin development, Church Street, Christchurch, during 1974-5, revealed three superimposed gravel layers and a line of 15th-16th century post-holes at the northern end of the site. The middle gravel layer was 15th-16th century but the other were undated. These gravel layers were interpreted as the edge of a road or market and suggest that even in a small market town such as Christchurch the metalling of public areas was taking place in the late medieval period.

M. Fox for Poole Museums, directed a program of rescue excavation and observation in advance of the Dolphin development, Church Street, Christchurch, during 1974-5 (site X11.2). The results were subsequently published in DNHAS monograph 5 (1).

The observations revealed three superimposed gravel layers and a line of 15th-16th century post-holes at the northern end of the site. The middle gravel layer was 15th-16th century but the others were undated. These gravel layers were interpreted as the edge of a road or market and suggest that even in a small market town such as Christchurch the metalling of public areas was taking place in the late medieval period.

<1> Jarvis, K S, 1983, Excavations in Christchurch 1969-80, 37-42 (Monograph). SWX4028.

Record last edited

Nov 23 2023 4:49PM