SDO11585 - Deans Court Lane, Wimborne Minster. An archaeological evaluation.

A report describing the results of an archaeological evaluation undertaken in connection with the proposed development of the site, with the purpose of investigating the postulated line of an early medieval defensive circuit, and the possible north-eastward continuation of the medieval suburb of The Leaze. Eight trenches were dug; some entirely by hand, others by machine. Natural river gravel was located only in the western part of the site but not in the eastern part, owing to limits placed on the depth to which excavation could take place. Extensive quarrying had occurred. The fillings of quarry pits contained post-medieval pottery, with the latest being of eighteenth-century date. Only one feature - a heavily-truncated post hole - was thought to pre-date the quarrying. Earlier deposits were water-lain silts on the western bank of the river Allen. These dark organic silts were sealed by an extensive spread of demolition material, possibly derived from modifications to North Lodge. Medieval structures may have been removed by gravel quarrying or buried beneath later dumped soils or water-borne silts. The virtual absence of medieval pottery from later contexts may suggest only limited activity here in the medieval period.