SDO15323 - Land at Littlemoor, Weymouth, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation.

‘An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology in October 2015 at Littlemoor, Weymouth. Fifty-seven trenches were excavated. The evaluation revealed no archaeological activity in the vast majority of trenches. Only four trenches contained features, comprising ditches, a posthole and a layer. Three of the trenches were located in the northernmost part of the site, but the recorded features would appear to be isolated events rather than an indication of any focused activity. These produced worked flint and pottery of Iron Age and medieval date. An undated ditch was recorded in the south of the site and based on its alignment to the modern day field boundaries is likely to be post-medieval or modern in date. Despite the high archaeological potential demonstrated within the vicinity of the site, it is possible that the heavy clay soils of the site were marginal marsh land not conducive to settlement in the past, particularly before the extensive drainage works of the post-medieval to modern period. This is further demonstrated by the low grade of the soil which is classified as Category D agricultural land.’