EDO5392 - Land east of Shaftesbury; geophysical survey 2002

Geophysical survey, comprising detailed magnetometer (gradiometer) survey supplemented by limited topsoil magnetic susceptibility measurements, was carried out by Oxford Archaeotechnics for AC archaeology on a proposed development site to the east of Shaftesbury. The site consisted of two pasture fields, approximately five hectares. Topsoil magnetic susceptibility levels proved extremely low, and significantly affected the magnetometer (gradiometer) response. Some extremely strong magnetic anomalies were identified, probably associated with ferrous material/clinker/burnt material and localised spreading of what appeared to be relatively recent debris. Otherwise, only extremely weak and ephemeral traces of earlier activity were recorded; these consisted of ridge and furrow cultivation, weak linears, and two curvilinear elements of unknown significance.