SDO14413 - Good Energy, Mapperton Solar Farm. Geophysical Survey Report

‘In October 2014 Wardell Armstrong Archaeology undertook geophysical surveys of land at Mapperton in Dorset. The survey was undertaken for Good Energy to provide information in relation to a proposed solar development at the site. The proposed development area comprises c.70ha of land to the northwest of Mapperton, and south of Blandford Forum in Dorset. The geophysical survey area is within three arable fields north of Bushes Farm, at Ordnance Survey grid reference SY 8959 9927. The course of a Roman road from Dorchester to Badbury was known to cross the site, aligned northeast to south west. It was therefore considered possible that associated archaeological remains could be present within the proposed development area. The objective of the geophysical surveys was to determine the presence/absence, nature and extent of potential archaeological features within the study area, and the presence/absence of any known modern features within the survey area, which may affect the results. The geophysical survey confirmed the presence of the Roman road, which was detected as a double-ditched feature running across the centre of the proposed development area. In addition, a series of enclosures were detected, which suggest the site was relatively intensively occupied in the late prehistoric/Romano-British periods. These include a series of simple enclosures, which may be interpreted as farmsteads, and an enclosure complex on the southwest side of the site, which comprised a large central enclosure with several smaller enclosures or annexes which may have been utilized as stock enclosures. A number of linear features, which may represent soil-filled boundary ditches were also detected. A series of discrete features were detected across the whole of the proposed development area, which are interpreted as quarry pits of uncertain date. Evidence for ridge and furrow cultivation of possible medieval or post-medieval date was also detected.’