Find Spot record MDO4636 - St Edward's Hotel, Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury: eighteenth-century pottery

Five pieces of eighteenth-century pottery were recovered in the course of trial excavations in the grounds of the hotel in 1976. No archaeological features were observed, and no other finds recovered.

'Observations were made at the rear of the garden, which was said to be 'very stoney'. A level area had previously been cleared for cultivation, the 'rubble' from this had been raked, towards the House, forming a ridge across the garden which had become overgrown. It was decided to carry out grid section excavation within this cleared area since it was at a lower level. Two IO' [sic - presumably 10' or ten feet] sections were marked out and ultimately excavated to a depth of 18". Some Pot Shard were located at a depth of IO" [sic - presumably 10" or ten inches] but thought not to be earlier than I8th Century. The shards had come to rest on a layer of Sandstone. The soil beneath the stones was completely free from foreign matter. The 5 Pot Shard were the only 'finds' discovered.

This garden was at one time part of a parcel of land termed "Mathew Mead". 17th Century map. Acknowledgement: We thank Mr Balmain for contacting us and allowing the excavation to take place.' (1)


'(ST 8668222907). In the grounds of St Edward's Hotel, Salisbury Street trial excavations retrieved only a few sherds of eighteenth-century pottery.' (2)

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1978, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1976, 59 (Serial). SDO76.

Record last edited

Sep 22 2009 4:30AM