EDO8164 - Came Estate, Winterborne Came; heritage assessment and historic building recording 2024

OASIS: Project Methodology: The baseline data for this report was obtained through a combination of desk-based research, to inform the historic background of the Site, and survey work including geophysical survey and historic building recording. Historical Background Key sources consulted as part of the desk-based research included the Dorset Historic Environment Record, the Historic England Archive, historic cartographic and documentary sources, and Lidar imagery. Source Data National Heritage List for England (NHLE) Current information relating to designated heritage assets, and heritage assets considered to be ‘at risk’. Dorset Historic Environment Record (HER) Heritage sites and events records, Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) data, and other spatial data supplied in digital format (shapefiles) and hardcopy. Historic England Archives (HEA) Additional sites and events records, supplied in digital and hardcopy formats. Dorset Archives online catalogue Historic mapping, historic documentation, and relevant published and grey literature. Historic England’s Aerial Photograph Explorer Digital vertical and oblique aerial photography ranging in date from the 1940s to present. Lidar Imagery Lidar imagery and point cloud data, available from Forestry England Genealogist, Envirocheck, National Library of Scotland & other cartographic websites Historic (Ordnance Survey and Tithe) mapping in digital format. British Geological Survey (BGS) website UK geological mapping (bedrock & superficial deposits) & borehole data. Grey Literature Previous archaeological investigation reports as available on the Archaeological Data Service (ADS) and the HER. Portable Antiquities Scheme database Online record of archaeological artefacts identified by the public The National Archives Historic mapping, historic documentation, and relevant published and grey literatures Prior to obtaining data from these sources, an initial analysis was undertaken in order to identify a relevant and proportionate study area. This comprised a 500m radius around the Site (henceforth referred to as the ‘study area’), which was considered sufficient to capture the relevant HER and HEA data and provide the necessary context for understanding the archaeological potential and heritage significance in respect of the Site. All of the spatial data held by the HER and HEA – the primary historic data repository – for the land within the study area was requested. The records were analysed and further refined in order to narrow the research focus onto those of relevance to the present assessment. Not all HER and HEA records are therefore referred to, discussed or illustrated further within the body of this report, only those that are relevant. These are listed in a cross-referenced gazetteer provided at the end of this report (Appendix 2) and are illustrated on the figures accompanying this report. Site visits and survey work were undertaken in March and June 2024 to confirm the current baseline of Site and to ground truth some of the features identified through the Lidar analysis. Where encountered, the locations of new features were plotted into ESRI, using the Esri Field Maps Application, installed onto a hand-held mobile device. The GPS accuracy for the collection of field data was recorded between 2m and 4m, but for the most part fell into the lower, more accurate part of this range. Aerial photographs held at Historic England Archives Aerial photographs held at Historic England were examined as part of this assessment. These ranged in date from 1946 to 2010 and show the Site to have comprised woodland since 1946. They are discussed below where relevant. Lidar Processing Existing Environment Agency data was analysed with the specific aim of clarifying the extent of any potential archaeological remains. National Lidar Programme DTM and DSM tiles (2021) were obtained from the DEFRA portal. The data was available at 1m resolution, for the extent of the study area. DTM and DSM tiles were downloaded as .tif files. The Lidar data ASCII files contains British National Grid as the “native” coordinate reference system. Where necessary, the tiles were combined into a mosaic raster dataset using Esri ArcGIS Pro 3.1.3 and exported as a .TIFF. The raster data (tif files) was combined into a mosaic raster dataset using Esri ArcGIS Pro 3.1.3. The NLP Composite DSM (first and last return) dataset was also downloaded and used for checking against the “ground” model. The resulting data .TIFF was then processed using Relief Visualisation Toolbox (RVT), Kokalj et al 2019 and Zakšek et al 2011, to create several visualisations including a multi-direction hillshade and local relief model following Historic England guidelines (Historic England 2010) and guidance in Airborne Laser Scanning Raster Visualisation: A guide to good practice (Kokalj & Hesse 2017). The output images from the RVT software were then imported into GIS software ESRI ArcPro for further analysis and manipulation where further settings manipulation was undertaken to enhance the visualisation for archaeological feature detection. Analysing The Lidar data was viewed in ArcGIS Pro alongside existing datasets and information provided from previous assessment work. In respect of features detected on Lidar, as well as those visible on aerial photography and satellite imagery, only those of clear and obvious presentation, and of probable archaeological interest were included on the Site Gazetteer and discussed within Section 4. Such features were selected using professional judgment, by an Heritage Consultant experienced in interpreting Lidar imagery and aerial photographs/satellite imagery. Site Visit Site visits were undertaken in March and June 2024 to confirm the current baseline of Site and to sense check some of the feature identified through the Lidar analysis. Historic Building Recording A programme of historic building recording was conducted of the surviving World War Two built fabric within Came Wood and Down Wood. This survey was undertaken to Level 1, as defined by Historic England’s guidance for Understanding Historic Buildings: A guide to good recording practice (2016). A Level 1 building record is a basic visual record (Historic England 2016) of a building or structure. The photographic and written text will augment basic information to identify the location of the building or structure. The text will usually identify the phase and the function of the building or structure subject to assessment. Level 1 surveys will generally be of exteriors only, although they might include a superficial interior inspection for significant features. Only if circumstances and objectives allow will any drawings be produced, and these are likely to take the form of sketches. This survey comprises a descriptive record, identifying these features within the woodland, and included the following elements: • A building location plan informed by the site inspection (see Figs. 21 and 22); • Photographs of each building/structure type within the Site; and • A description of the surviving remains including their former use and current condition. The analysis was based principally upon a site inspection. The Second World War history and use of the site was informed by research at The National Archives, which identified information about the history and use of the two camps. A site visit was undertaken on 10th September 2024 by Jane Phimester, Principal Historic Buildings Consultant. The results of this survey are included in Section 5: Historic Building Recording of D Day Camp. Landscape and Monument Survey Three previously identified un-designated barrows were also surveyed as part of this assessment. This work was undertaken at Level 2, as defined in the Historic England Guidance Understanding the Archaeology of Landscapes (2017), in order to record and present an up to date assessment of their form and condition. This survey will also identify any threats in order to limit further monument erosion. The results of the survey are included in Section 4: Bronze Age Barrows. Geophysical Survey The geophysical survey was conducted across the six identified barrows (Fig. 2) and their 5m halos as per the project brief (Bashford 2023). A Section 42 licence was obtained for this survey and was issued by Kate Iles on behalf of Historic England (Historic England Case No: SL00234656). The results of this survey are summarised in Section 4 below, and the full report is included as Appendix 4. The full report should be consulted for further information concerning the results and assessment methodology. Vegetation Clearance Vegetation clearance was required to clear the ground ahead of the geophysical survey. This involved the removal of trees and general ground clearance. Tree stumps were cut as close to the soil surface as possible, and all works were carried out in accordance with Historic England’s standard conditions for woodland work on a Scheduled Monument (Appendix 5). Scheduled Monument Consent was not required for this work as no ground-breaking activities were undertaken, this approach was agreed with Dan Bashford on behalf of Historic England. Clearance works were undertaken between 2nd April and 14th June 2024. Appropriate care was taken when working in wet conditions. Magnetometer Survey A detailed magnetic survey was undertaken within the Site using a twin sensor fluxgate gradiometer. Readings were recorded at intervals of 0.5m x 0.125m over an area of approximately 0.738. Full details of the methodology can be found in Appendix 4. Anomalies identified as part of the magnetic survey were given ID reference numbers M1-M10, and M101 and M102. Resistivity Survey A detailed earth resistance survey was undertaken within the Site using a Geoscan RM85 resistance meter. Readings were recorded at intervals of 0.5m x 0.5m over an area of approximately 0.738ha. Full details of the methodology can be found in Appendix 4. Anomalies identified as part of the earth resistance survey were given ID references numbers R1-R17, and R101. Limitations This document utilises secondary information derived from a variety of sources, only some of which has been directly examined for the purpose of this document. The assumption is made that this data, as well as that derived from other secondary sources, is reasonably accurate. The records held by the HER and HEA, are not a record of all surviving heritage assets, but a record of the discovery of a wide range of archaeological and historical components of the historic environment. The information held within it is not complete and does not preclude the subsequent discovery of further elements of the historic environment that are, at present, unknown. A review of the Dorset Archive online catalogue was undertaken and no sources which were considered relevant to this assessment were identified. There may be other relevant material held by The National Archives, other local repositories, and in private collections; although the information gathered as part of this Assessment was considered sufficient for the scope of this report. Given the wooded nature of the Site, DTM Lidar was predominantly used to inform this assessment. The DTM is comprised of measurements from the last laser return from the Lidar survey (i.e. the lowest possible measurement), effectively removing the tree canopy to provide a visualisation of the ground only, however, this process can also remove vertical objects, such as tree trunks and buildings. This also impacts the resolution of the Lidar as points are removed in this process and the resulting DTM resolution will be over 1m. As such some of the building remains and smaller features are not detected and thus not all of the Second World War features located within Came and Down Wood are visible on the Lidar. A walkover survey was conducted to identify features not visible on the Lidar. Site visits/ surveys were undertaken in suitable weather conditions, between June and August 2024. Dense vegetation cover on Barrow B partially inhibited the survey and interpretation of earthworks. This barrow had not been subject to clearance prior to the earthwork survey; however, the additional barrows were sufficiently cleared to enable interpretation for the survey. The areas for the geophysical survey were cleared of ground vegetation prior to the survey, however there were several mature trees/stumps which obscured readings in some areas. Further detail on the areas surveyed can be found in Appendix 4. The historic building recording of the remains of the D Day camp were undertaken as far as was practical; the remains of some of the built fabric was in some cases only visible as linear features beneath the ground vegetation of the woodland. In some cases the hut platforms were difficult to interpret and access due to the amount of vegetation including fallen trees. There were piles of asbestos sheeting within Down Wood that prevented close inspection of built fabric, in particular the former water tower. Project Results: In February 2024, Cotswold Archaeology was commissioned by Wessex Grounds Services on behalf of The Trustees of the Lower Came Settlement to undertake a Heritage Assessment and Historic Building Recording at Came Wood and Down Wood, Dorset, which are part of the Came Estate. The work forms part of a wider conservation strategy for six scheduled barrows located in Came Wood (NHLE: 1002742) and aims to enhance the current understanding of the Bronze Age funerary monuments within the Site. The project includes desk-based research, geophysical survey, landscape survey, and historic building recording of the surviving remains of Second World War D-Day camp within both woods. In advance of the assessment the barrows were cleared of vegetation including trees by Wessex Grounds Services. The Site lies within an area of extensive prehistoric funerary activity along the Dorset Ridgeway. Monuments located along this Ridgeway are characterised by their diversity in form and type, and survive in remarkable condition. Limited activity is recorded within the Site from the Roman period onwards, although possible medieval field boundaries were identified through Lidar analysis. From the 19th century onwards the Site comprised the woodland plantations of Came Wood and Down Wood. These were used to conceal two temporary D-Day camps during the Second World War, in preparation for the massive assault and liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe. A building recording record was made of the built fabric of these former camps within the Site, which survive alongside the scheduled and unscheduled barrows. The geophysical survey of the scheduled barrows has enhanced our understanding of their morphology; it identified the earthen and stoney cores of the monuments, as well as their external ditches. This provides confidence that the proposed meshing works will cover the full extent of these barrows. The landscape survey assessed the condition and significance of the unscheduled barrows within Came Wood. Two of these barrows were identified as being potentially of national significance but currently undesignated, and should be considered for inclusion on the Schedule. It was recommended that these barrows should be treated in the same way as the scheduled barrows in future woodland management works to preserve their surviving remains.