EWX1960 - Rax Lane, to the rear of 41-43 East Street, Bridport; observations and recording 1999

Terrain Archaeology undertook a watching brief during the construction of a new block of flats to the rear of 41 and 43 East Street, Bridport, between August and November 1999. This revealed traces of a large medieval ditch running along the southern side of Rax Lane which has been identified as the ‘Town Ditch’ or ‘Wide Ditch’ that formed part of the medieval town defences along the northern side of the town, to the north of East and West Streets, and probably dates to the first half of the 13th century. No medieval features or deposits were found to the south of the ditch, perhaps suggesting the presence of a bank inside the ditch. No evidence was recovered for any activity between the 13th and 17th century. In the 17th/early 18th century, a stone wall was constructed along the southern edge of the ditch in the eastern property (to the rear of 41 East Street). A number of large subrectangular cess pits and some smaller rubbish pits dating to this period were found to the rear of both properties and still largely respecting the area of the medieval ditch. A small number of late 18th and 19th century pits were also found, some of which were cut through the town ditch. A small number of late 18th/early 19th century vessels probably from the Beaminster potteries were recognised in the assemblage. (1) (2) (3)