EDO6416 - Nottington Lane, Weymouth; evaluation 2015

An archaeological evaluation comprising the machine-excavation of 48 trial trenches, each 30m by 1.8m, most targeting anomalies recorded during geophyiscal survey. Most of the straight linear anomalies recorded during geophysical survey proved to be relatively modern drains, and some broader and more irregular anomalies appeared to be geological in origin. A linear anomaly (Trench 26) proved to be a ditch running parallel to boundaries associated with the now-demolished Nottington House. No dating evidence was recovered, but the ditch was thought likely to be associated with the house and gardens and of probable post-medieval origin. Two ditches (Trench 27) contained substantial pottery drains and were also thought to be associated with the gardens of Nottington House, as was a stony deposit (Trench 28) interpreted as an area of hard-standing, possibly the site of a viewing platform or seat. The presence of trees and localised flooding made the investigation of features seen in Trench 33 difficult, but these were tentatively interpreted as a tree-throw, drainage gully, and a possible post-hole. Features of probable prehistoric origin were recorded, comprising a slightly-curving ditch and terminus (Trench 40) the filling of which contained a significant quantity of burnt material possibly associated with nearby settlement or industrial activity, and several ditches with south-east/north-west alignment (Trench 40, Trench 47) interpreted as a coaxial field system of Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age date. This dating was based on the finding of a discoidal flint scraper in the filling of one of the ditches. Another ditch (Trench 47) produced a significant quantity of Mesolithic flint work, thought to be residual. Depressions (Trench 47) were interpreted as cattle trample associated with the field system, within which a possible ‘funnel’ was seen, possibly leading to a pond (Trench 48, Trench 49).