SDO11345 - Corfe Castle Excavations 1989. Interim Report. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society

Archaeological excavation conducted by the National Trust in advance of consolidation and mitigation work associated with tourism, continued at Corfe Castle during 1989. A length of curtain wall between the 3rd and 4th towers on the west side of the outer bailey was cleared of vegetation and demolition rubble. In the 3rd tower an 18th-19th century floor of pitched limestone was uncovered. A small 1.5m x 1.5m area was excavated through this floor to reveal further post medieval floors sitting above civil war deposits and a flagstone floor. In the 4th tower a series of mortar surfaces had been laid, badly damaged during the demolition of the castle. In the west bailey part of the track from the inner ward to the SW gatehouse was uncovered. A new pitched stone pathway was laid on top of the 17th century level. The remains of a small postern gate were also revealed in the curtain wall between the south tower and the SW gatehouse.