SDO12353 - An Archaeological Field Evaluation of A Proposed Housing Development Adjoining the Village Hall, Charminster, Dorset

'During November 1997, an archaeological field evaluation, by means of machine-cut trenches, was carried out by AC archaeology on the site of a proposed development of land adjoining the village hall, Charminster, Dorset. Foundation walls and associated features representing the site of a building fronting onto the main road were identified in the northern zone of the site, the associated pottery evidence suggesting a late 12th to early 13th century date for its construction and use. Two well-preserved parallel flint walls were identified 6.0m apart, and are likely to represent the front and rear external walls of the structure. A stone built domestic hearth and other cut features were identified within the confines of the walls. The two remaining side walls were not located in the trench. It appears from the stratigraphic and artefact evidence that the building was abandoned in the latter part of the 13th century, its use therefore limited to no more than 100 years, with no evidence for an earlier or later structure on the site. The only other archaeological feature identified during the evaluation was a small, isolated pit identified in Trench 3, the presence of worked flint from its fill indicating a prehistoric date. It is likely that during the period when the medieval building was in use the area to the south was used as gardens or a smallholding, its function similar to the present day.'