SDO11333 - Land to the Rear of 58 West Street, Corfe Castle, Dorset. Summary of Excavation Results and Assessment of Potential for Analysis and Publication.

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Raglan Housing Association Limited to carry out an archaeological excavation in advance of development on land a the rear of 58 West Street, Corfe Castle, Dorset, centred on NGR 3395890 081830. The Site comprised an area of approximately 0.24ha. situated immediately to the rear of 58 West Street and immediately south of West Street car park. At the time of this excavation, the Site comprised a paddock and a private garden. Prehistoric barrows are recorded in the vicinity of Corfe Castle, whilst Romano-British remains are present both beneath Castle Hill, and on West Hill. The medieval settlement spread out from the gate of the castle along East Street and West Street. The Site was located behind West Street, where small enclosures known as hawes lie between the houses on the street frontage and within fields to the west. A number of prehistoric findspots have been recorded in the village of Corfe Castle and within the village there are several Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas. In 2003, Wessex Archaeology carried out an archaeological evaluation of the Site consisting of two 20m x 2m trial trenches. The evaluation identified three ditches dating to the medieval period, along with several post-medieval and undated features. The results of the evaluation suggested the Site contained a high density of medieval archaeological features with the potential for medieval settlement remains. The proposed development would impact on any archaeological remains, and it was decided by the Local Planning Authority, acting on advice from the County Archaeological Officer, that archaeological excavation should be undertaken to mitigate this impact. The excavation was undertaken in April and May 2004 comprising a rectangular area measuring approximately 35m x 20m. Two ditches of medieval date were identified and excavated. These ditches had already been recorded by the evaluation, although the larger area opened for the excavation allowed the ditches to be more fully examined and recorded. In addition a number of apparently natural features which contained quantities of worked flint dating to the Mesolithic period were recorded. One of the more significant finds was a Portland Pick, a flint tool characteristic of the Mesolithic period in Dorset. The local significance of the Site warrants publication of the results in an appropriate academic journal. It is proposed that a report be submitted to Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, as this will enable dissemination to as wide an audience as possible.