EDO5677 - New First School, Ashmore Close, Hamworthy, Poole; geophysical survey 2003

Please read our .

Location

Grid reference Centred SY 9994 9027 (136m by 124m)
Map sheet SY99SE
Unitary Authority Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Technique(s)

Organisation

Archaeophysica

Date

2003

Description

A magnetic gradient survey was undertaken by Archaeophysica on the site of a new First School in Hamworthy, in advance of an archaeological evaluation in March 2003. Survey revealed at least half of the area to be densely covered with strong discrete anomalies. It is thought that these anomalies are due to furnace waste from Poole foundry but this cannot be proved without invasive study. Alternatively they could represent the remnants of Roman salterns filled with briquetage. Their large number suggests that they are perhaps not salterns although these features could produce significant anomalies and shouldn't be ruled out as it is possible that they are present on this site. Other industrial activity may have been the source for the material, whether on site or elsewhere. Some evidence for structure seems to exist between these strong anomalies but this cannot be adequately understood from the magnetic data alone. Two or three possible brick structures exist near the eastern boundary of the field and there is an alignment of pits in the northern part, again associated with highly magnetic deposits. A large ditch or field boundary crosses the field and has been filled or is at least associated with more magnetic deposits. At an early stage during survey it was thought that some of the high strength anomalies were drains; but this was found to be not the case once the whole survey could be viewed. (1) (2) (3)

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Roseveare, M J. Hamworthy Middle School, Poole, Dorset Magnetic gradient survey at Poole Dorset.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Bellamy, P, and Best, J. 2003. New Hamworthy First School, Ashmore Close, Hamworthy, Poole: Archaeological Survey, Observations, and Evaluation, March–April 2003.
  • <3> Serial: Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. 200. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 2003. 125. 161.

Map

Record last edited

Dec 4 2020 9:03AM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any questions or more information about this record? Please feel free to comment below with your name and email address. All comments are submitted to the website maintainers for moderation, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible. Comments, questions and answers that may be helpful to other users will be retained and displayed along with the name you supply. The email address you supply will never be displayed or shared.