SDO12534 - Land at Worgret Road, Wareham, Dorset: Archaeological Evaluation

In February 2011 Bournemouth Archaeology was commissioned by Bloor Homes Ltd. to undertake an archaeological evaluation of land at Worgret Road, east of the Wareham bypass. The evaluation required the excavation and recording of a total of eight trenches across the proposed development area. This project was in response to a previous program of geophysical survey, also carried out by Bournemouth Archaeology, in 2010, in an attempt to map the extent of any sub-surface archaeological features. No standing features were identified prior to the survey; however several find-spots are recorded across the site. The survey identified the location of a number of linear and discrete anomalies across the field. Two main anomalies, possibly representing a small ditch or gully and a larger ditch-like feature running across the site, were identified as well as numerous other anomalies of uncertain origin or archaeological potential (Bournemouth Archaeology, 2010). A small archaeological evaluation project focusing on the eastern extent of the site was carried out by AC archaeology in 1992. No significant archaeological features were identified during the course of this work. The evaluation revealed that the majority of the anomalies identified by the geophysics were resolved to be features associated with the First World War army training camp which was constructed on the site in 1914. These feature included red brick drainage features and steel/iron reinforcing bars. A substantial ditch, of uncertain date, A single base-sherd of coarse- textured hand-formed black sandy ceramic was recovered from the uppermost layer of the ditch. The sherd is interpreted as being a locally made fabric dating to between the mid-2nd and 4th centuries AD in date. Four pieces of struck flint were also recovered from this layer. The evaluation results suggest that the majority of the geophysical anomalies were the result of activity associated with the modern farming and drainage, as well as from the substantial First world War military camp which was established on both sides of Worgret Road in 1914. A large ditch. Running east- west across the site to the north is of unknown function or origin but is not interpreted as being of modern origin.