Monument record MDO28511 - 'Oyster Bank', post-medieval shell midden, Poole

The Oyster Bank was a large post-medieval oyster shell midden dating to the period from about the mid 17th century to the early 19th century. It was formed by the disposal of shells by commercial oyster fishermen on the muds near Poole.

The oyster bank was a deposit of oyster shells created after 1640 or 1670, when fishermen were forbidden to dispose of oyster shells on the shore at Hamworthy. Instead the oysters were opened on the fishing boats and disposed overboard onto the mud close to the shore at Poole. This created a large mound of shells which was visible above high water level in the mid-late eighteenth century and which was called the Oyster Bank. (1)

The Oyster Bank is depicted on maps of Poole dated 1751 and 1774. (2) (3)

Deposits of oyster shell about one metre thick, mixed with post-medieval finds have been found beneath the Jolly Sailor (4) (5) and Poole Pottery (6), which are probably part of this shell midden.

<1> Hutchins, J, 1861, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 1. 3rd edition, 44 (Monograph). SDO12569.

<2> Hutchins, J, 1774, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Volume 1. 1st edition, map of Poole (Monograph). SWX2949.

<3> Reekes, T, and Tucker, W, 1751, Map of Poole (Map). SDO12490.

<4> Anderson, L M, and Watkins, D R, 1996, Archaeological Observations at The Jolly Sailor, The Quay, Poole. (Unpublished document). SWX8312.

<5> Anderson, L, 1996, The Jolly Sailor, The Quay, Poole. (Article in serial). SWX7706.

<6> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1994, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1993, 115 (Serial). SDO93.

Record last edited

Aug 29 2024 3:37PM