EDO5181 - 59-61 High Street, Christchurch; desk-based assessment 2004

Wessex Archaeology conducted an archaeological desk based assessment of a proposed development site at the rear of 59-61 High Street, Christchurch during 2004. The assessment showed that there was '...little potential from prehistoric and Romano-British remains within the site and, although it lies within the Late Saxon burh, there is probably only low potential for features or finds of Anglo-Saxon date.' this is not only because the site lies within the back plots, but also that the density of occupation in this part of Christchurch was probably low in the Anglo-Saxon period. There is, however '...high potential for medieval evidence, particularly of 13th century date when there appears to have been a substantial and rapid increase in the density of settlement within the town'. A scatter of post-holes, stake-holes, gullies, ditches and pits would be expected as well as similar features from the post-medieval period. The available area for archaeological investigation is severely restricted by existing buildings, walls and services.