SWX8537 - The Excavation of 12th-13th Century Deposits at Howard's Lane, Wareham

In September 1994 Wessex Archaeology, on behalf of Twynham Housing Association Limited, undertook the excavation of a site at Howard's Lane, Wareham, in advance of residential development. The excavation was undertaken following an archaeological evaluation of the site in May 1994 which had established the presence of 12th to early 14th century medieval deposits (Wessex Archaeology 1994). The archaeological evaluation and excavation were undertaken following the advice of the County Archaeological Officer. The historic town of Wareham lies on a low east-west ridge separating the Rivers Frome and Piddle. The Howard's Lane site covers an area of 0.17 ha, centred on SY 9245 8751, in the north-east quarter of the town (Fig. 1, A). The site comprises the eastern half of a parcel of land fronting Carrion Lane to the north, Moreton's Lane to the east, Howard's Lane to the south and Bonnet's Lane to the west. Geologically the site lies on deposits of Valley Gravel and is on level ground around the 7m OD contour. A number of bungalows had previously occupied the site and these were demolished prior to the commencement of the archaeological work.