EDO5552 - Eastworth Road, Verwood; evaluation 1997

Hampshire Archaeology Ltd were commissioned to undertake an archaeological evaluation on the land off Eastworth Road in Verwood, Dorset. This was in response to the proposed construction of a new road, and 104 dwellings. The study site covers an area of about 7ha, and the trenches were located inside this area at positions with regard to features identified during a geophysical survey. Eleven trenches were excavated of varying length, between 10m and 60m long. This was done by way of a 6 ton tracked excavator fitted with a 1.5m wide toothless ditching blade. These were excavated down to past topsoil level, and then hand cleaned, and further hand excavated before recording. Samples were taken from the fills and other deposits were also collected for analysis. From the evaluation, a single piece of prehistoric worked flint was retained. This example of residual prehistoric evidence was a one off on the site. Topographical features across the site appear to be associated with a ditch system that divides the whole site into three fields. Ceramic evidence from the site suggests the field system dates to the post-medieval.