SDO14685 - Curtis Fields, land to the south of Chickerell Road, Weymouth, Dorset. An Archaeological Field Evaluation.

‘Context One Archaeological Services (COAS) carried out a programme of field evaluation on land to the south of Chickerell Road, Weymouth, Dorset (the ‘Site’), over nine days between 2 March and 12 March 2015. This field evaluation followed on from a series of recent archaeological interventions in adjacent fields, preceded by a desk-based assessment (Tabor 2012). The project was commissioned by Betterment Properties (Weymouth) Ltd. The level and scope of the works was intended to provide an indication of the damage that may be caused to possible archaeological features and deposits present on the Site and how this might be avoided. The works were required by the Local Planning Authority (Weymouth and Portland Borough Council (WPBC)) following advice from Mr Steve Wallis (Senior Archaeologist, Dorset County Council (DCC)). Previous archaeological investigations consist of an archaeological evaluation carried out in 2013, comprising targeted geophysical survey (GeoFlo South West Geophysical and Flotation Services) followed by trial trenching (COAS). Limited excavation exploring the features identified during the evaluation, was carried out in May 2014. A further evaluation was undertaken in May and June 2014. The cumulative results of these investigations identified a number of features relating to a small area of medieval occupation and agricultural activity, and Neolithic flint scatters and isolated flint objects. The evaluation has demonstrated a prehistoric (mostly Mid to Late Bronze Age) and medieval presence on the Site however the finds are residual and, with the exception of a medieval or post-medieval hedge boundary, there are no archaeological features or spreads of material upon which to focus any further investigations. Having said that, the concentration of prehistoric flint within a tree-throw may indicate the presence of flint scatters in one particular area and should be the focus of a targeted excavation. Given the discoveries in adjacent fields, it is possible that prehistoric flint scatters and medieval features may survive beneath the topsoil or subsoil in any part of the Site. Any such remains may lie beneath the topsoil, which in places was found to directly overly the natural, the subsoil, or beneath deep colluvium present in one area. Depending upon the results of the targeted excavation, it is therefore advised that archaeological monitoring and recording may also be required during development groundworks.’