SWX8682 - 5 South Street, Wareham, Dorset, Archaeological Evaluation

On 4 December 1995 Wessex Archaeology excavated three evaluation test-pits within an area of proposed development to the rear of 5 South Street, Wareham (SY 92408734). Each test-pit measured 1m x 1m, and was excavated by hand. The total area excavated in this way comprised approximately 2% of the proposed development. A short length of undated limestone wall was found within Test pit 1 0.32m below the ground surface. An undated soil horizon was recorded at the base of the wall. Subsoil horizons containing 13th century pottery and tile were also recorded at the base of Test pits 2 and 3 at a minimum depth of 0.43m below the present ground surface. These probably represent an in situ medieval deposit/soil horizon. Within Test pit 3 this subsoil deposit was sealed by a soil horizon containing pottery dating to the 18th century or later, whereas within Test pit 2 a modern drain lay above the subsoil horizon, with later deposits abutting it. Wessex Archaeology have been advised that the foundations for the proposed new building will be of raft type, only involving excavations to a maximum depth of 0.45m below the existing ground surface. These excavations will therefore intercept the undated limestone wall and will coincide with the medieval subsoil deposit in test pit 3. In test pit 2 the medieval deposit will not be exposed by the excavations for the new building foundations since the deposit occurred at a slightly lower level here (relative to the ground surface).