Holton
Lee lies on the western edge of Lytchett Bay, in the north west corner
of Poole Harbour. This year sees the first season of archaeological
investigation on the estate, with the main fieldwork occurring during the
three weeks from 24 July - 11 August. Participants include students
of the School of Conservation Sciences at Bournemouth University and visitors
to Holton Lee.
Part of the Early
History of the English Channel Project involves close examination of
key site areas to assess how the coastline developed and how people lived,
worked and interacted with the environment in coastal areas. One
such key site has been identified as Poole Harbour. The area of Holton
Lee is ideally situated and incorporates a variety of environments including
managed woodland and heath located on Bagshot Beds, a length of harbour
shoreline, reed beds and alluvial mud flats.
During this fieldwork
season, it is proposed to investigate two areas within the estate - a sub-rectangular
enclosure located on the heath/woodland interface, and a transect running
through the littoral, incorporating hillslope, reed beds and harbour shoreline.
The enclosure
(Site 1) was mentioned by Norman Field as a probable Roman marching camp
(Field 1992). Observations in the field suggested this may be open
to reinterpretation. It is proposed to cut a section through a damaged
portion of the bank and ditch in an attempt to establish whether this was
of Roman or later construction.
The littoral
area (Site 3) will be sampled using a Russian corer, Dutch auger and a
series of test pits. It is hoped to investigate claims that this
area is in fact land reclaimed from the harbour and to assess the nature
and variety of composition of material on the edge of the shore.
The following
web pages include images and text prepared by the participants to convey
something of what they experience during the three weeks on site.
A more detailed report of the project will be added when the fieldwork
has concluded.
If you would
like further information about our work at Holton Lee or that of the Early
History of the English Channel Project, please contact Bournemouth University
at the address below.
