Monument record MDO2761 - Fishpond at Woolcombe, Toller Porcorum

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1985, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1984, 159 (Serial). SDO84.

'Pond, silted up but cleared 1984. ?North-east end of sub-rectangular medieval fishpond. Cf. excavation trench W.'

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1986, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1985, 172-173 (Serial). SDO85.

‘In 1984 the bank of a medieval fishpond (probably that referred to in an early 14th century document) was excavated in sub-site IV. This trench was re-opened and slightly extended. The medieval and later sequence now seems clear. A ?13th-century fishpond was levelled in the late medieval or post-medieval period, and replaced by a shallower cattle pond with a metalled area to the east. In the pond, and about 2m from its edge, was a stake fence, presumably to protect the springs which fed the pond from cattle, and vice versa. Later in the post-medieval period a wall was built across the pond; the flooded area west of this wall was drained and filled in, leaving the present pond much as it stands at present.
Below the medieval deposits a series of waterlogged greensand gravel layers and organic deposits were sampled. A few non-diagnostic flint flakes and some burnt flints were found. It seems possible that the gravel layers had been deposited at the edge of a shallow pond or marsh, at some time in the prehistoric period. Samples of the organic material are being tested for pollen at DIHE, and for macroscopic plant remains by Dr Vanessa Straker at the University of Bristol.’

Record last edited

Apr 3 2021 3:06PM