SDO13981 - Curtis Fields, Land South of Chickerell Road, Weymouth, Dorset, An Archaeological Field Evaluation

Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) carried out an archaeological field evaluation at Curtis Fields (Phases 2A, 3A and 4A), Land South of Chickerell Road, Weymouth, Dorset (the ‘Site’), over 17 days in May and June 2014. The field evaluation was preceded by a desk-based assessment (Tabor 2012) and the investigation comprised the machine and hand excavation of twenty-three trial trenches. The project was commissioned and funded by Betterment Properties (Weymouth) Ltd. The archaeological evaluation was requested by Mr Steven Wallis (Senior Archaeologist, Dorset County Council) in support of a planning application for residential development on the Site. Archaeological records note the presence of activity in the environs spanning the prehistoric, Romano-British and medieval periods (Tabor 2012). The area covered by Phase 3 is highlighted as having potential for the discovery of later Prehistoric and Romano-British field systems, while the area covered by Phase 4 is immediately adjacent to an area in which medieval material has been found (ibid.). Recent archaeological investigations on land immediately north of Phase 2A has identified two Neolithic flint scatters demonstrating very early activity in the Site environs (COAS 2014). The evaluation identified a cluster of features across two trenches in Area 4A most likely relating to a small area of medieval occupation. While the ditches and gullies indicate field boundaries and enclosure, the presence of pits, a post-hole and a stake-hole are suggestive of occupation. An archaeological programme of strip, map, and record would certainly define the extent of activity here and inform a strategy of mitigation should the development proposal go ahead. Also, an undulating subsoil that was particularly evident in Trench 20 is suggestive of a former ridge and furrow cultivation of which no above ground traces survive. Three undated features were also recorded in Areas 2 A and 3A. The small assemblage of finds is dominated by medieval pottery. Most of the animal bone, including fragments with butchery marks, was recovered from one of the medieval soil horizons in Area 4A, possibly representing a midden deposit. The worked flint assemblage is residual, possibly relating to the Neolithic flint scatters previously recorded in adjacent land