During the summer of 1993, topsoil from the remainder of Field A was removed together with topsoil from approximately one third of Field B. Once again, 0.2 - 0.3m of topsoil was taken off, but it became apparent as work progressed in Field B, that topsoil levels were deeper here. Although a further 19 charcoal-filled pits were found in Field A, only one was located in Field B. For the first time, it was possible to grid the stripped area into 25m squares, simplifying the planning of excavated features. There were few features, but curiously, there were large quantities of finds collected from the stripped surface. These dated from the Bronze Age to the 19th century and consisted of pottery, worked and burnt flint, foreign stone, glass, clay pipes and shale. The metal finds were just as varied with Roman brooches, a rare piece of Viking Age metalwork, medieval coins and buckles, buttons and large quantities of lead musket balls.

Documentary sources indicated that both Parliamentarian and Royalist troops had camped at Bestwall during skirmishes in 1643 and 1644 and it seemed likely that some of the 17th century finds were connected to these events. Much of the pottery dated to this period and most of it had been produced in the Verwood area of Dorset. Some was manufactured close to Wareham at East Holme. Slip-decorated plates had originated from the Donyatt potteries in Somerset and more exotic wares were from Holland and Germany.

Many clay pipes could also be dated to this time. More significantly, 118 musket balls and two gunpowder caps were retrieved. Charcoal was present throughout the subsoil, perhaps indicating ploughed-out fires. These finds were probably the debris from Civil War encampments.

The lack of features was puzzling - however a large triangular piece of Purbeck stone was found in a pit 0.5m below present ground surface and hinted that features were hidden below the stripped surface. An Excavator was brought in and took off a further 0.3m of soil and sure enough, there were large quantities of prehistoric and Roman pottery as well as worked flint. After discussions with the company it was decided that a deeper level of topsoil would be removed for the following season's work.

Those involved:

• ECC Gravels Ltd. Doug Barrowman (Area Manager), Peter Stone (Quarry Manager)
• W&DA & LHS Lilian Ladle (Project Director), Carol O'Hara, Diane Cooling, Joy and David Conibear, Cynthia Hall, Nicola King, Dave Greenhalf, Cynthia Hall, Sandra Moores, Harold Stone, Barry and Wendy Wheeler
• Metal Detectorists Ken Wheatley, John Hunter, Sid Cross

Finds Identification
• Metalwork Ken Wheatley
• Clay Pipes Derek Bunting
• Post-Medieval Pottery Keith Jarvis, Penny Copland Griffiths
• Worked Flint Julian Richards


• Consultant Peter Cox (AC Archaeology)