Monument record MDO19324 - Rear of Old Town Hall, Christchurch (site W8); 12th-13th century gullies

Excavation at the rear of the old Town Hall, High Street, Christchurch, during 1981 (site W8), revealed four 12th-13th century gullies or small ditches aligned N-S and E-W on roads and property boundaries. The fills were all broadly similar, sandy loams and gravel and they appear to be contemporary, possibly property boundary markers.

Wessex Archaeological Committee conducted an excavation at the rear of the old Town Hall, High Street Christchurch, during 1981(site W8). The results were subsequently published in PDNHAS volume 105 (Davies 1983).

The excavation revealed four gullies or small ditches [37, 141, 92 & 76]. Gully [37] was aligned N-S in the east half of the site and measured c. 0.7m wide, 0.5m deep and 4m long. [141] also ran N-S, possibly as a continuation of [37] with a small break for a possible entrance. It was truncated to the south by a possible medieval hollow way. [92] ran E-W along the northern baulk and measured 0.85m wide by 0.35m deep x 6m long. [76] ran N-S at the west end of the site and measured 0.8m wide by0.23m deep x 2.4m long.

The fills were all broadly similar, sandy loams and gravel in varying quantity, and occasional charcoal. No post-holes or beams were visible in the cuts and it seems unlikely that the gullies were structural features. Their precise function is uncertain but, as they are aligned approximately on the roads and known property lines, it is possible that may be boundary or property markers.

The gullies all appear to be broadly contemporary, of 12th-13th century date. One, [37], is cut by a post-hole [43], of similar date and one, [141], by a sequence of pits, the latest of which dates to the early 14th century.

Davies, S M, 1983, Excavations at Christchurch, Dorset, 1981 to 1983; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 33-6 (Article in serial). SWX4065.

Record last edited

Oct 29 2024 4:24PM