SDO15591 - An Archaeological Evaluation on Land at Wey Valley, Weymouth, Dorset

Report on an evaluation undertaken by Archaeology South-East. The evaluation comprised the machine excavation of forty-eight trenches positioned to target anomalies recorded by geophysical survey. Two broad periods of activity were identified – prehistoric and post-medieval features were recorded, as well as a number of features which could not be dated. Three narrow ditches in the south-western part of the site were interpreted as parts of a coaxial field system dated tentatively to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age on the basis of the finding of a discoidal flint scraper in the filling of one of the ditches. A significant quantity of flintwork of Mesolithic character, including a microlith, was recovered from the filling of another of the ditches; this was thought probably to be residual. Post-medieval and modern ditches and drains, and a possible area of hard-standing were recorded. These were thought likely to be associated with the 18th-century and later Nottington House. A pond in the south-western corner of the site was undated and possibly post-medieval in origin, though a prehistoric origin for this feature is discussed.