SDO11451 - A Medieval Site in Gillingham, Dorset: further excavations at Chantry Fields 1999; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society

Excavation in advance of the extension to the existing car park at the Waitrose supermarket, Gillingham, Dorset (NGR ST806 263) was undertaken by AC archaeology during the summer of 1999. The site lies in an area containing surviving elements of a once extensive set of earthworks which have been shown by previous excavation to relate to a former suburb of the medieval town of Gillingham, and associated fields, on the south side of the River Stour. The 1999 excavation results indicate that the main period of settlement on the site was during the 13th and 14th centuries. Stone buildings, surfaces and other associated deposits were identified and appear to include a domestic structure with garderobe attatched, associated outbuildings and external surfaces. These formed part of what must be considered a large medieval farm complex, the full extent of which was not revealed during the excavations. The presence of domestic medieval stone buildings, which so far is unique in Gillingham, indicates that a range of buildings of some importance was formerly present on the site. Demolition and abandonment of the site appears to have taken place towards the end of the 14th century.