SDO10163 - Christchurch; High Street. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society

South West side. In c.1980 Mr. P. Aitken excavated an oven like structure about 3m long and 1m deep. A sample of white vesicular material was examined by Dr P.J. Ovenden and is considered to be fused wood ash as it contains 20% silica and no iron. Almost all of a medieval green glaze jug with three feet was incorporated into the structure as a compact pile of sherds with other coarse pottery. Similar jug forms area known at Winchester. The oven was built into the rear of a bank associated with the 12th-13th century defensive ditch A excavated by Harding. The oven was located during levelling for a car park and the jug has been donated to the Red House museum, Christchurch.