Monument record MDO2410 - South of Tinney's Lane, Sherborne; medieval quarry pits

Excavations by Wessex Archaeology at the south side of Tinney’s Lane during 1997 revealed evidence for 13th-14th century quarry pits extending along most of the east side of the site. They were cut through limestone strata with almost vertical sides and a flat base.

Found during excavations conducted by Wessex Archaeology during January 1997 in advance of a housing development (Knotts Paddock) south of Tinney’s Lane, Sherborne. The results of the excavation have been published in PDNHAS, 121, 53-69 (1). Numbers in square brackets below refer to context numbers given in this report. Three large 13th-14th century quarry pits [4, 27, 129] extended along most of the east side of the site. They were generally of N-S linear form with a maximum depth of 0.80m (pit [4]). They were cut through limestone strata with almost vertical sides and a flat base. Pit [4] had two small, discrete dumps of burnt material; animal bone and charcoal, and burnt clay, stone and charcoal, made directly onto the rock-cut base. A thin skim of silt covered the entire base prior to deliberate backfilling. A later medieval rubbish pit and two post-medieval pits cut the fill of this quarry pit. Quarry pit [27] was oirginally identified during an earlier evaluation where it was revealed that it comprised numerous intercutting pits, all containing medieval pottery of 13th-14th century date (2). The subsequent excavation showed that this quarry pit also had a post-medieval pit cutting its fill. Although quarry pit [129] had a single sherd of post-medieval pottery on its surface, it is likely to also be medieval in date. (1)

Record last edited

Sep 17 2007 5:41AM