SDO15224 - Castle Close, Pound Lane, Wareham, Dorset. Archaeological Targeted Excavation Report

‘Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by The Classic Architecture Company to undertake an archaeological watching brief and targeted excavation during the demolition, relocation and construction of a new porch at the modern dwelling of Castle Close, Pound Lane, Wareham, Dorset centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) 392181 087189. The archaeological excavation was completed on the 9th November 2015. The site is located within the boundary of a Scheduled Monument (no. 1003574) comprising part of the Anglo-Saxon town defences and part of the medieval motte and bailey castle; the sub-surface remains of the stone keep are known to lie in the locality of the present property. Therefore Scheduled Monument Consent was necessarily obtained and a programme of archaeological works was agreed. Despite the high potential for associated buried archaeological remains to be present, no significant archaeological features or deposits were present within the small excavated area, which measured 3.6 m by 1.8 m by 0.46 m deep. Beneath the modern paved ground surface, an overburden deposit consisting of a dark sandy silty clay was the only deposit revealed, from which no archaeological finds were recovered. Although this overburden deposit is undated, it is likely to be a post-medieval soil and was observed to be cut by the foundations for the existing early 20th century house. No earlier archaeological features, deposits or finds were uncovered within the confines of the investigation that could be associated with the medieval and Saxon scheduled remains known to exist within the Site. It is probable that if such remains survive within this specific locality they are likely to exist at a slightly greater depth i.e. more than 0.46 m below present ground level.’