EDO5384 - Coppice Street, Shaftesbury; evaluation 2003

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by AOC Archaeology Group on the site at Coppice Street, Shaftesbury. The evaluation involved the opening of a total of eight, machine excavated trenches across the development area. Only Trench 3 and Trench 5 contained any archaeological features. Trench 3 revealed the end of a ditch and a number of small pits and post holes. The ditch and a few of the other features were 13th century in date. Three large post holes recorded in Trench 5 were dated to the Iron Age by a single sherd of pottery and may have been structural. A number of other undated features seemed to be contemporary with an area of burning recorded in Trench 5 that was dated to the 13th century and indicated medieval activity of some sort in this trench. [1] Following a further excavation and watching brief, coupled with post-excavation analysis the interpretation of the site was refined and revealed significant activity from the Early Bronze Age and Saxon to medieval periods. Features recorded included a circular posthole structure, radiocarbon dated to 1880-1640BC, and interpreted as a timber circle or related ceremonial monument, though the possibility that it may be an early roundhouse is not dismissed. Another notable feature is a Saxon kiln, with the remains of its last firing still in place, and thought to date to the early to mid 9th century. In addition, evidence of late Saxon and early medieval domestic occupation was revealed on the western side of the site, closest to the core of the medieval town. The most intense domestic activity was pre-Conquest. Though features had been truncated by later activity, the remains of pits, wells and enclosure ditches survived, and agricultural land divisions which continued after occupation had ceased. Sizeable domestic rubbish assemblages were recovered, and there was evidence of iron working in the vicinity. The domestic pottery assemblage is regarded as significant.[2]