Monument record MDO28126 - Possible palaeochannel or pond, Hamworthy Park, Poole

A series of alluvial deposits interrupted by a layer of sand deposition (from a major storm event?) were found during an archaeological evaluation in Hamworthy Park. These deposits may be evidence of a former pond or palaeochannel.

A series of alluvial deposits were found during an archaeological evaluation by Terrain Archaeology in Hamworthy Park in 2004. The natural sand 306 was overlain by a 0.22 m thick layer of dark greyish-brown sandy clay (305) with brown peaty lenses. This alluvial layer represents deposition in a low-energy environment, possibly representing a pond or perhaps a palaeochannel running down to the sea. This alluvial activity was interrupted by the deposition of a light yellowish grey clayey sand layer 0.1 m thick, which peters out to the east and could represent a major storm event bringing sand up from beach. Alluvial activity recommences a very thick layer of very dark grey sandy silt, with some organic material, occasional flint gravel and rotted stone fragments and some smaller lenses of sand. A single fragment of burnt flint was noted but not retained. This layer has a maximum thickness of 1.0 m, with its upper (level) surface 0.6 m below ground level.

Bellamy, P and Montague, R, 2004, Flood Defences, Hamworthy Park, Hamworthy, Poole. Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SDO12299.

Record last edited

Feb 8 2017 5:00PM