SDO10167 - Christchurch; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society

'Excavations for DoE and Christchurch Borough Council were carried out by K. Jarvis of Poole Museums Archaeological Unit at Bargates, in advance of town centre redevelopment. In the area excavation of 1,900 square metres several late Neolithic features were discovered including a pit containing grooved ware. The Bronze Age was represented by two ring ditches, about 22m in diameter and a scatter of pottery, indicating cremation burials destroyed by ploughing. An early Iron Age enclosure cut through an early Iron Age settlement indicated by pits and postholes. Part of a large Pagan Saxon cemetery of 6th-7th century date, laid out in relation to the two Bronze Age ring ditches, was also found. thirty inhumations were found, twenty-two of which contained metalwork, mainly iron knives, spearheads and shield bosses. There were also four cremations in urns, one of which was decorated.'