EDO4976 - Christchurch Priory Garderobe (Site X3), Christchurch; excavation 1969-70

Several trial trenches were excavated in 1969-70 by M Ridley in the SE corner of the Priory precinct. These trenches revealed the foundations of part of the priory precinct wall running roughly parallel to the mill stream. A stone lined garderobe pit was located at the corner between these foundations and a standing section of precinct wall running towards the mill stream. The fill of this pit consusted of three layers. The uppermost dated to the 18th-19th century and was probably re,ated to the 18th century Priory House. Beneath this was a 16th-17th century layer which sealed a water logged layer. This lower layer contained a rich group of 13th-16th century finds including local and imported pottery, jettons, seeds, eggshell, leather and small finds. It is likely that the garderobe originally extended over the mill stream and that its present course has been diverted by c. 3m. It is possible that remains of a 'salmon house' recorded on a 1715 estate map were found projecting towards the mill stream from the precinct wall. This may represent a survival from the original Priory. Unfortunately many of the finds have become mixed following a burglary and their provenance is suspect. [1] The excavations were on behalf of the Bournemouth Natural Science Society. [2][3]