Monument record MDO18304 - Poundbury Development, Phase II; Middle Bronze Age enclosure F204

A rectangular ditched enclosure or enclosures of Middle Bronze Age date was excavated in 2005 by Wessex Archaeology, in advance of development as part of Phase II of the Poundbury development.The enclosure appears to be inserted into the northwest corner of a larger ditched rectilinear land enclosure and comprises two rectangular ditched enclosures. A quantity of Middle Bronze Age pottery was recovered from the enclosure ditches. A number of features were found within the enclosure, including a possible post-built structure and a number of pits, which all appear to be contemporary with the enclosure itself.

A ditched enclosure or enclosures was investigated by excavation in 2005 by Wessex Archaeology, in advance of development as part of Phase II of the Poundbury development (1). Elements of this enclosure were uncovered during the evaluation of this site by Wessex Archaeology in 2001, but were not recognised as such at the time (2). The numbers in square brackets are context numbers used in the report (1) (2).

The enclosure appears to be inserted into the northwest corner of a larger ditched rectilinear land enclosure and comprises a rectangular enclosure 25m by 29m across defined by a single ditch, with a narrow entrance in the northern end of the eastern side, with an additional rectangular enclosure 25m by 40m across on the eastern side with a narrow entrance in the southwest corner. It is possible that there is yet another enclosure beyond this to the east, but it was not exposed by the excavation, nor were any traces of it picked up by the evaluation.

The ditches defining the enclosure were between about 1.2m-2.0m wide and about 1m deep with a U-shaped profile. A quantity of grog-tempered Middle Bronze Age pottery was recovered from the enclosure ditches including a rim sherd from a bucket-shaped vessel and a body sherd decorated with twisted cord impressions.

A number of features were found within both parts of the enclosure. In the northwest part were the remains of a probable post-built structure [F205] and a number of pits, one of which was excavated in Evaluation Trench 7. Fewer features were found in the eastern part,but included one small pit and a number of tree-throws which produced Middle Bronze Age pottery (and one of which produced a barbed-and-tanged flint arrowhead).

<1> Ellis, C, 1998, Poundbury Development Phase II: Bridport Road, Dorchester, Dorset: Archaeological Desk-based Assessment (Unpublished document). SDO9528.

<2> Wells, N, 2001, Land South-west of Poundbury Farm, Dorchester, Dorset: Archaeological Evaluation. (Unpublished document). SDO9531.

Record last edited

Oct 13 2006 1:16AM