EDO6174 - Land adjacent to 32 East Street, Wareham; evaluation 2008

Evaluation comprising machine excavation of a single trench measuring 8m by 1m and aligned approximately NE-SW within the footprint of the proposed development. A depth of up to 1.2m was excavated through topsoil and a possible demolition layer, revealing a single archaeological deposit overlying natural sand and gravels. This layer comprised charcoal-rich greyish brown clayey sand with occasional pieces of burnt limestone/sandstone and lumps of raw and unburnt clay. A sondage through this layer revealed a depth of 0.45m and a quantity of medieval pottery. The deposit was confined within a broad possible cut of which 3.5m in width was exposed in the trench; it continued beyond the trench limits to the south west. Finds including slag suggested a possible association with industrial activity in the vicinity.