SDO11346 - Corfe Castle Excavations 1990. 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 April and May 1990 within the 3rd and 4th towers of the outer bailey. The floor of the 3rd tower was reduced to the level of the 17th century flagstone floor, revealing 13th century archer steps. Evidence for 13th-17th century partition walls and wooden screens were also found. A 9m length of curtain wall was cleared of demolition rubble to the south of the 3rd tower. The ground surface between the fourth tower and the bridge across the great ditch was lowered to the 17th century level to reveal a surface of limestone and mortar fragments. In the West Bailey the small postern gate and section of curtain wall revealed in 1989 was consolidated and partly reconstructed by masons. Mortar differences within a length of curtain wall 8m south of the postern gate indicate that it had been rebuilt, probably in the 19th century.