SDO12507 - Former Pilkington’s Tile Factory, Shapwick Road, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset. Archaeological Watching Brief of Phase 1 and Phase 2 Groundworks, September - November 2005

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by Terrain Archaeology on the site of the former Pilkington’s Tile Factory, off Shapwick Road, Hamworthy, Poole (centred on NGR SZ00159023) during July-November 2005. The groundworks of Phase 1 and Phase 2 on the redevelopment, in the east end of the site, were observed. This area had been disturbed by the former tileworks and a sawmill. Nevertheless, the archaeology appears to have survived intact over most of the area beneath the tileworks. Unfortunately, the conditions on the site with serious groundwater problems and trench collapse meant it was extremely difficult to identify and record most of the archaeology. Despite this, evidence of archaeological activity was observed in all areas. The remains of a large ditch, the continuation of the inner ditch of the Roman ‘fort’ or supply base was found in the southwest corner of the area. Elsewhere the archaeological features consisted mainly of a network of small ditches, very similar to the ditches found previously on the site, which have been suggested as belonging to saltworking activity. In the southwest part of the observed area was at least one very large shallow flat-bottomed feature filled with charcoal lenses and burnt deposits, which may be the remains of catchment or evaporation pan for the saltworks. A number of pits were also observed.