SDO21125 - Watching Brief at The Cobb, Lyme Regis

‘Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by West Dorset District Council (WDDC), under guidance from Jeremy Benn Associates Ltd (JBA Ltd) to undertake archaeological and geoarchaeological monitoring of site investigation works at the Grade I Listed man made harbour known as the Cobb, Lyme Regis, West Dorset. Monitoring was required due to the potential for site investigation works to reveal archaeological remains, or deposits of palaeoenvironmental and/or geoarchaeological significance. The work included the monitoring of GI works, which included five machine dug trial pits and six borehole/window samples. Site work was carried out between 5th and 7th November 2018. No deposits of palaeoenvironmental or geoarchaeological significance were found to be present; with storm beach deposits (aka marine beach shingles) found to overlie sedimentary mudstones. However, earlier phases of the Cobb itself were observed and recorded. The monitoring of the machine dug trial pits recorded a section of 16th century Cowstone foundations on the north side of the Southern Arm and a single displaced Portland Limestone block with characteristic dovetail joint dating it to a repair of 1785. No other archaeological artefacts or features were found. However, this study has shown that future work close to the existing Cobb walls will need to be carried out with care. The first mention of a breakwater at Lyme, built of timber and boulders, was in 1328 in the reign of Edward III. The oldest part still standing today may date from about 1550. Most of the principal breakwater currently visible was built between 1785 and 1826. From the 1680’s, the Cobb was gradually converted from its earliest form via intermediate stages of dry bedding up-ended Cowstones. From the mid-18th century the Cowstones were squared and set horizontally in mortar to form a rigid, heavy and carefully shaped structure designed by military engineers, with later repairs and additions using Portland Stone.’