SWX8498 - A Planning Report on an Archaeological Evaluation at The Town Library, Wareham, Dorset.

This report presents the results of a two stage archaeological evaluation carried out between the 22nd and 26th April 2002 and the 26th June and 2nd July 2002 in the town of Wareham, Dorset (SY 9237 8725). The field evaluation was carried out by Bath Archaeological Trust BAT on behalf of Purbeck District council. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine the location, extent, date, character, condition, significance and quality of any archaeological remains. The evaluation demonstrated that archaeological remains from the medieval and post medieval periods exist within the study area. The current library courtyard revealed only post-medieval deposits, whilst the current Library car park, to the north, revealed both medieval and post-medieval deposits. In Test Pits 1 and 2, thick deposits of dumped material were observed overlying the natural valley gravel. In the case of Test Pit 1, these deposits were overlain by a sand and mortar surface and then a thick deposit of garden soil. In the case of Test Pit 2 no surface was observed, although a similar deposit of garden soil sealed the dumped material. In Test Pits 3 and 4, the natural valley gravel was identified at a much higher level. In Test Pits 3, a substantial feature was observed 0.28m below ground level, cutting through the natural. Subsequent pottery analysis demonstrated that the ditch was filled during the 14th century. Test Pit 4 revealed a structure of 20th century date overlain by dark soil. No earlier features were observed beneath it. The report concludes that the potential for the survival of medieval (and possibly pre-conquest) remains varies across the study area. It seems unlikely that there is a much higher potential for the existence of such deposits on the upper gravel terrace, upon which Test Pits 3 and 4 were situated