Visitors to the newly-reopened Poole Museum can now explore the remarkable story of England’s earliest known medieval shipwreck. Discovered in 2020 by Bournemouth University (BU) Maritime Archaeologists off the coast of Studland, the 13th century ‘Mortar Wreck’ is the centrepiece of a new exhibition now open to the public.
The wreck was first spotted by Poole charter boat skipper Trevor Small in the Swash Channel. BU archaeologists, led by maritime expert Tom Cousins, investigated the site and raised artefacts that reveal fascinating details about medieval trade and seafaring.
‘The cargo and items now on display are a testament to the last twenty years’ work by the BU Maritime Archaeology team,’ said Cousins. ‘And our students get to dive these wrecks themselves – this year, they helped survey the Mortar Wreck as part of their training to become scientific divers.’
The vessel, a ‘clinker’-built ship constructed with overlapping timber planks, was dated using tree ring analysis of its Irish oak hull to between 1242 and 1265. Among its cargo were large Purbeck stone mortars, used for grinding grain, and two remarkably preserved Purbeck marble gravestone slabs.
Poole Museum Collections Officer Joe Raine said: ‘It’s been an incredible opportunity to work with BU and to display items that help tell the story of Purbeck stone trade and medieval maritime life.’
The wreck and its discovery featured in a new episode of Time Team on YouTube, which aired on Saturday 29th November – now playing left.
The Mortar Wreck exhibition is now open daily, 10am–5pm, with free admission.
sponsored by Wessex Internet
