EWX1535 - Howard's Lane/Bonnett's Lane, Wareham; evaluation 1994

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Fraser and Partners on behalf of the Twynham Housing Association Ltd to carry out an archaeological evaluation in connection with the proposed development of the site. Eight trenches, 125 sq m in total and some 7.4% of the site, were excavated by machine under archaeological supervision. The trenches were dug down to the top of natural deposits, in this case Valley Gravels, or the level at which archaeological remains could be discerned. Substantial medieval deposits and features of twelfth to early fourteenth-century date were encountered adjacent to the Howards Lane frontage in the south of the proposed development area. The recorded features included post-holes, pits, a wall foundation and ditches, and environmental sampling demonstrated that the medieval deposits contained well-preserved charred plant remains. A medieval soil layer was observed in the north of the site, and the medieval deposits were sealed beneath a layer of up to 1.4m of dark soil containing late medieval and post-medieval material. Wessex Archaeology site code: W702/37796