EDO5133 - Rear of the North Gate, Sherborne Old Castle, Castleton; excavation 1998

Stewart Brown Associates conducted an archaeological excavation at Sherborne Old Castle during 1998, prior to the insertion of a new French drain by English Heritage. In Sept-Oct 1998 three archaeological evaluation trenches were excavated on the line of the proposed drain. This uncovered 12th-13th century kitchen waste deposits and it was decided that the remainder of the drain run should be archaeologically excavated in advance by hand. This excavation took place in December 1998. The trench measured 23m long, 1.5m wide and up to 2m deep. It was opened next to the remains of the north gate and adjoining curtain wall. The excavation ‘…uncovered a series of archaeological levels dating from the early 12th century to the present. No structural remains were uncovered. The most archaeologically significant find was a series of late 12th-early 13th century rubbish deposits up to 0.5m deep that produced large quantities of kitchen waste including well preserved faunal and archaeobotanical remains as well as a large, important collection of pottery sherds.’ (1)