EDO5349 - Land at Park Farm, Shaftesbury Road, Gillingham; evaluation 2003

An archaeological evaluation of a proposed development of c. 3.2 hectares of land adjacent to Park Farm, Gillingham, Dorset (ST822253), was carried out by AC archaeology during March 2003. The evaluation comprised the machine excavation of eight trenches, totalling 300m in length, and providing 2% coverage of the proposed development area. Only limited evidence for archaeological activity was identified, comprising a single undated shallow ditch, a quantity of medieval pottery from a single vessel and a post-medieval horseshoe. The site does, however, contain a portion of the bank boundary (pale) which surrounded the medieval deer park at Gillingham. This can be seen as a well-preserved linear earthwork on the south-west side of the site but it will not be affected by the proposed development.