Monument record MWX674 - Multi-period occupation, east bank Corfe River, Wytch Farm Oilfield, Corfe Castle

Excavation on the east bank of the Corfe River in advance of development of the Wytch Farm oilfield in 1989 revealed exceptional multi-period exploitation of the area for agricultural, settlement, industrial and probably funerary purposes.

Excavation on the east bank of the Corfe River in advance of development of the Wytch Farm oilfield in 1989 revealed an exceptional multi-period exploitation of the area for agricultural, settlement, industrial and probably funerary purposes. Intermittent Mesolithic and early-middle Neolithic activity is suggested by lithic finds although no associated features were identified. An early/middle Bronze Age field system denotes the earliest extensive agricultural exploitation of the area. A second, localised, phase of middle Bronze Age activity was also located. The truncation of these deposits by later occupation has meant that there is some question as to whether the deposits are of burial or domestic origin, although the former presence of a burial mound in the area is favoured. During the late Iron Age the area supported an extensive industrial and agricultural settlement, probably closely connected with a contemporaneous site on the west bank of the river. Salt production and shale working are well attested; pottery manufacture and iron working are suspected. A series of superimposed field systems date from the Romano British to post Medieval periods. <1-2>

<1> Cox, P W, 1989, Wytch Farm Oilfield. Infield Flowlines. Corfe Castle and Arne, 111 (Article in serial). SWX8715.

<2> 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 Archaeological Assessment, February 1989 (Unpublished document).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.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1135771 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

May 17 2024 11:49AM