SWX8514 - Summary Report on an Archaeological Evaluation at Castle Close, Wareham, Dorset 1999

Following a desk-based survey, Southern Archaeological Services Ltd of Southampton carried out a field evaluation of Castle Close, Wareham as part of the archaeological evaluation of the site in advance of an application for Scheduled Monument Consent for a proposed extension by Richard and Elizabeth Davies. Planning permission had previously been granted, but had subsequently lapsed. Wareham Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (Dorset no. 94) and was excavated in 1950 by a previous resident, Mr HJS Clark. The site is centred at NGR SY 9218 8718 and lies at a height of about 10.5m OD. The geology of the castle site is valley gravel, but the mound is at least partly man-made. One trench, measuring c.3m x 1m was excavated by hand in a paved area within the footprint of the proposed extension. Mortar-bonded masonry was found at a depth of between 1.2m and 1.5m, along with 12th-13th century pottery and evidence of a robber trench, as well as the backfill of Mr Clark’s excavations. The material above the remains of the wall also contained Mediaeval pottery, but no more recent finds, implying that it had not been substantially disturbed since the demolition of the castle keep, probably in the mid-late 12th century. The evaluation took place between 22 and 27 September 1999.