SDO21217 - Land to the South of Westleaze Road, Charminster: Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report

‘A detailed gradiometer survey was conducted over land at land to the South of Westleaze Road (centred on NGR 368300 092300). The project was commissioned by Wyatt Homes Ltd with the aim of establishing the presence, or otherwise, and nature of detectable archaeological features. The site comprises fields utilised as pastures located within the Charminster village, covering an area of 5.5 ha. The geophysical survey was undertaken on 16 June 2020. The survey has been successful in detecting a wide range of anomalies of probable archaeological origin. A series of ditch-like features have been identified that correspond to similar features in the adjacent field that likely form part of a wider field system of uncertain date. They are not identifiable on historical mapping of the area and are therefore thought to be archaeological in origin. A series of more irregular and pit-like anomalies have also been located in the centre of the site, which are also thought to relate to archaeological activity. Numerous pits were excavated in the evaluation of the adjacent field and found to contain material dating to the Early/Middle Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age. However, it is not possible to confirm the origin of these anomalies based on these results alone. Along the eastern part of the site, the remains of ridge and furrow ploughing activity have been identified widely across the site. Further evidence of ridge and furrow has been identified towards the River Cerne, south of the site, which shares the same east – west orientation. Several larger pit-like features were identified in the north and south of the site, which are thought to be associated with gravel extraction activity. In addition, several modern services have located in the centre of the site’