SDO15223 - Land off Sackmore Lane, Marnhull, Dorset. Archaeological Trial Trench Evaluation and Watching Brief

‘Wessex Archaeology (WA) was commissioned by Siam Consultancy & Investments Ltd to carry out an archaeological trial trench evaluation on land off Sackmore Lane, Marnhull, Dorset. The evaluation comprised the excavation of three trial trenches, each measuring approximately 30m x 1.5m. The trenches were targeted on the proposed housing development and green spaces using information from a previous geophysical survey. The work took place on 3rd and 4th November 2016. At the same time as the trial trench evaluation, WA carried out a watching brief on five geological test pits excavated within the same plot. None of these produced any positive archaeological results. One area of archaeological potential was identified towards the southern end of Trench 3 in the south-eastern corner of the site, which corresponded to a geophysical anomaly indicative of an enclosure. A number of linear features and deposits dating to the Romano-British period was identified, suggesting a possible focus of activity within this part of the site dating to this period.’