EDO204 - 22 Bimport, Shaftesbury; excavation

Excavations were carried out in 1976 in advance of redevelopment of the site by construction of a single-storey building consisting of garages and a showroom. It was hoped that the excavations, directed by Bill Moore, would produce evidence for the location of St Mary's church. A section 3m x 1m and 2m deep was excavated on a north-south line, and revealed the edge of a pit. The pit was excavated, and proved to be medieval in date and approximately 1m deep and 1.5m in diameter at the top. The filling contained bone, metal, ceramics, pitch and glass. Particular mention is made in the interim report of a layer of charcoal approximately 50cm thick at a depth of about 1.3m, and a large quantity of greensand forming a rubble heap contemporary with the pit. No evidence of buildings or building construction was found. According to the interim report, a photographic record was made.