Find Spot record MDO3851 - Medieval pottery, Church Close, Fontmell Magna

Two sherds of coarseware pottery thought to date to around the 13th century were recovered from a soil layer interpreted as hillwash during the excavation of footings for houses in Church Close in 1994. The record for this monument has been enhanced with support from Wessex Water

<1> Wallis, S, 1994, Archaeological Observation at Church Close, Fontmell Magna (Unpublished document). SDO14093.

‘Archaeological Observation at Church Close, Fontmell Magna
Planning Application No. – 2/94/0260
Proposed Works – Erection of Pair of Semi-Detached Cottages
Grid Reference – ST 8649 1708
The County Archaeological Officer recommended a condition requiring archaeological observation and recording during groundworks on this application because of the site’s location in the historic core of Fontmell Magna.
The site was visited by the author on 6 October 1994. It was clear that the site originally had a moderately steep north facing slope, but the area had just been terraced to level at the north end of the site, with nearly 1m of material being removed at the south end. Excavation of foundation trenches was in progress, with a machine working in the north-west part of the site, so observations were limited to the south and east areas. The trenches were 1.5 – 1.8 m deep.
The topsoil was about 0.15m deep. It overlay a layer of medium greyish brown silty loam, which was at least as deep as the trench. Two sherds of medieval pottery (coarseware of approx.. 13th century date – identified by L Keen), patches of lighter brown silty loam (?redeposited natural) and several patches of burnt clay were noted within this layer.
Based on its location on the slope and its contents, this layer is interpreted as hillwash, at least part of which probably accumulated in the later Middle Ages.’

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1995, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1994, 130 (Serial). SDO94.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 8:07PM