Monument record MDO19374 - Dolphin Development, Christchurch (site X11.3); 15th-16th century pit cluster

An excavation on the site of the Dolphin development, Church Street, Christchurch, during 1974-5, revealed eight 15th-early 16th century pits [F58, 63, 76, 80, 92, 101, 116 & 118]. They contained small amounts of pottery and bone and averaged 1.0m deep with rounded sides and plan. F76 was of unknown function but was stone lined with eight slabs of limestone stacked in tow tiers to form a rectangular pit 1.4m x 1.2m and 1.2m deep. Several other pits were not closely datable.

M. Fox for Poole Museums, directed a rescue excavation in advance of the Dolphin development, Church Street, Christchurch, during 1974-5 (site X11.3). The excavation was subsequently published in DNHAS monograph 5 (1).

The excavations revealed eight 15th-early 16th century pits [F58, 63, 76, 80, 92, 101, 116 & 118]. They contained small amounts of pottery and bone and averaged 1.0m deep with rounded sides and plan. F76 was of unknown function but was stone lined with eight slabs of limestone stacked in tow tiers to form a rectangular pit 1.4m x 1.2m and 1.2m deep. Several other pits were not closely datable.

Their distribution was generally set 10m back from the Church street frontages were the 13th-14th century pits. However, the earlier medieval pits tended to be set only 5m back from the street front.

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

Record last edited

Aug 29 2024 12:31PM