Monument record MDO7083 - Iron Age features, Middlebere Marsh, Arne

<1> Cox, P W, and Hearne, C M, 1989, Wytch Farm Oilfield development. Infield Flowlines: Wellsite G - Gathering Station. Archaeological Assessment, February 1989 (Unpublished document). SWX8184.

'Trial pits (28, 30, 32 and 34) revealed late Iron age features and Finds including a waterlogged ditch located on the edge of Middlebere Marsh. Because of the higher water levels the ditch could only be part-excavated, but large amounts of pottery and shale were recovered.

In August 1998 part of the area was excavated in advance of the laying of an electrical cable. This confirmed the existence of Iron Age deposits- shallow ditches were excavated , some associated with banks sealing a buried Iron Age soil. The finds included large amounts of briquetage sherds from salt boiling vessel, quantities of oxidised and waster pottery, and also probable furnace-lining and slag, revealing a strong industrial element to the site that had not been deduced from the initial assessment. Other finds included a shale lathe bank.

A subsequent watching brief established that the site does not extend into and across the marsh. However, a buried peat horizon was identified adjacent to the site on the western fringes of the marsh. This represents an important palaeo-environmental sampling horizon.'

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1990, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1989 (Serial). SDO89.

‘West of the Corfe river, SY 96648520. A single phase late Iron Age site, contemporary with phase 3 of the settlement east of the river was located and excavated within the pipeline route.’

Record last edited

Sep 15 2023 2:23PM