Monument record MDO7604 - Ower, Medieval Settlement (Wytch Farm), Corfe Castle

Medieval settlement of Ower represented by buildings and associated features recorded during several phases of intervention between 1987 and 1994.

Medieval settlement of Ower represented by buildings and associated features recorded during several phases of intervention. During excavations in 1987 a considerable depth of topsoil and quantity of medieval pottery suggested that a medieval settlement must be in the immediate vicinity, possibly connected with the surviving group of buildings around Ower Farm. Discovery of shell midden and stone feature confirms this conclusion. (1) Archaeological excavations in 1994 at Wytch Farm revealed the remains of a medieval building believed to be part of the Medieval settlement of Ower, partially excavated in 1987 (Wytch Oilfield). Site confirmed as an unusually constructed building, probably of 13th or 14th century date. The best preserved section of wall was that which ran NW -SE (wall 11), which survived up to 6 courses high. The fabric was predominantly comprised large undressed hearthstone, mudstone and quartz blocks. Clay bonding surviving in places on the front of the wall may represent the remains of Cobb walling. Fragments of Medieval pottery were recovered from a ditch excavated around 18.8m to the East of the building. The excavators suggested that the building had been deliberately destroyed after abandonment in order to re-use / rob at least some of the building materials. The finds assemblage associated with the occupation phase of the building was largely ceramic and was dated broadly to 12 - 14th century AD. A single sherd of Samian (from Antonine Central Gaul) pottery was recorded in a redeposited context in the post-abandonment build up of soils. The structure was thought to be part of the Medieval settlement of Ower which is known to have existed by Domesday (2)

Record last edited

Dec 10 2021 12:22PM