EDO8060 - Potterswood Phase 3, East Worth, Verwood; evaluation 2022

The investigations consisted of the machine excavation of eight trial trenches ranging in length between 20-30m. Trenches 1, 2 and 6 measured 30m by 1.6m; Trenches 3 and 4 comprised 25m in length by 1.6m in width; finally, trenches 5, 7 and 8, measured 20m by 1.6m. The trenches were placed on various anomalies seen in the data from a gradiometer survey. Most anomalies proved to be non-archaeological in origin, though some corresponded to the locations of former boundary ditches and sand extraction pits. The position and alignment of the boundary ditch corresponded with a configuration identified during archaeological investigations in the phase 1 Potterswood residential development as a post-medieval boundary. The sand extraction pits lie in the eastern portion of the proposed development area and comprise a surprisingly rich concentration of such features. These are likely to be post-medieval in date and cannot currently be assigned to any particular heathland industry, but their presence and concentration is considered reasonably important as sand extraction, of post-medieval and earlier date in the Verwood area, is poorly understood and only sporadically mapped. The archaeological trial trench evaluation was successful in its aims of identifying the extent, character and date of archaeology present within the application area. The evaluation also showed that a sole reliance on the gradiometer survey alone in identifying archaeology provides mixed results for this highly variable geology.