Monument record MDO8710 - Dolphin Development, Christchurch (site X11.3); possible Saxo-Norman structure

An excavation on the site of the Dolphin development, Church Street, Christchurch, during 1974-5, revealed evidence for a Saxo-Norman 6-post structure aligned on the early medieval street plan. The only dating evidence was the fact that it was cut by a 15th century pit and it contained a Saxo-Norman pit in its interior, although there was no stratigraphical relationship to positively link the two. The structure was approximately square and 2m long.

M. Fox for Poole Museums, directed a rescue excavation in advance of the Dolphin development, Church Street, Christchurch, during 1974-5 (site X11.3). The excavation was subsequently published in DNHAS monograph 5 (1).

The excavations revealed evidence for a Saxo-Norman 6-post structure aligned on the early medieval street plan. The square six-post structure, 2m long, was indicated by 6 large post-holes [F47-9, 51-2, 77] averaging 0.5m diameter and 0.3m deep. There were no finds to date this structure but one post-hole was cut by a 15th century pit. It is possible that this is a late Saxon-early medieval structure especially since it is aligned on the street plan.

The earliest pit on the site [F55] was shallow and circular, only 0.2m deep, with a diameter of 1.1m and a fill of dark grey loam. The only finds were six sherds from the sagging base of a handmade cooking pot in a coarse, probably Saxo-Norman, fabric. This pit was located in the middle of the 6-post structure but there was no stratigraphic relationship to determine whether they were contemporary.

<1> Jarvis, K S, 1983, Excavations in Christchurch 1969-80 (Monograph). SWX4028.

Record last edited

Nov 23 2023 5:48PM