Monument record MDO6246 - Medieval rubbish pits, land between the Minster and Cornmarket, Wimborne Minster

Excavations between the Minster Church and the Corn Market and observations during the construction of a new churchyard wall, revealed rubbish pits of 13th-century date.

C13th pits and structures, and C16th stone buildings were located on the Corn Market frontage during excavations carried out between 1978-80. A continuous series of undated heathstone and flint walls were found beneath the Minster churchyard. This series was situated below the present level of the churchyard. There were also evidence of pre-C13th post-structures.

A series of medieval pits (Pits 67, 71 and 83) were found adjacent to the Cornmarket frontage; these were rubbish pits of thirteenth-century date. One pit (Pit 67) was filled with layers of ash and burnt oxidised soils, and the excavators suggested that this material may have been waste from nearby fires, ovens or kilns. This and another pit (Pit 71) had been recut. <1-2>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1981, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1979, 142-143 (Serial). SDO79.

'Excavations between the Minster Church and the Corn Market and observations during the construction of a new churchyard wall, took place as time allowed between building operations. 13th-century pits and structures followed by 16th-century stone buildings on the Corn Market frontage were found with open 'orchard' areas to the south-west. Below the existing churchyard wall an early 19th-century soakaway pit and a series of disturbed and discontinuous heathstone and flint walls were recorded well below the existing churchyard ground level and impinging on it. There was some evidence for post structures below the 13th-century pits on the Corn Market frontage and below the churchyard wall. The butt-end of a ditch aligned east-west and with a spread bank on its southern side was recorded between the George Hotel on the Corn Market and the Minster. This ditch was filled during the 17th century and could not be taken as evidence of an early ecclesiastical circuit.'

<2> Woodward P J, 1983, Wimborne Minster, Dorset - Excavations in the Town Centre 1975-80; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 57-74 (Article in serial). SDO11589.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 888374 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jan 16 2024 12:29PM