Archaeology Group Lecture: The Mortar Wreck: A Thirteenth-Century Shipwreck Lost in Studland Bay
19th November at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
This month’s lecture will be given by Tom Cousins from Bournemouth University.
Discovered by Bournemouth University in 2019, the Mortar Wreck lies just outside the main shipping channel into Poole Harbour. Scientific dating places the surviving hull timbers around AD 1250, while stone mortars and two Purbeck stone coffin lids reveal a cargo linked to medieval building industries.
The talk presents the archaeological findings and explores the wreck’s significance for understanding thirteenth-century ship construction, cargo handling, and coastal trade in building materials across medieval England.
The Museum Archaeology Group lectures take place on the third Thursday of the month (note the change in week and venue), starting at 7:30. Tea and coffee are available to buy before the talks.
Admission to the talks is free for museum members (donations welcome), £3 for non-members.
Please see the Museum Events Calendar for the dates and details of all this year’s talks, and the Archaeology Group page for more information about our activities.