EDO8228 - Grove Trading Estate, Poundbury, Dorchester; geophysical survey 2008

OASIS: Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Scottish and Southern Energy plc to conduct detailed gradiometer and earth resistance survey at Grove Lane Trading Estate, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset, comprising approximately 0.2ha. The gradiometer survey was carried out using a Bartington Grad601-2 dual sensor gradiometer system in 20m x 20m grids. The ERT survey was carried out using a Geoscan Research RM15 earth resistance meter over 20m x 20m grids. The Site is part of Scheduled Monument SM 12501: Poundbury Camp, associated monuments and section of Roman aqueduct and the appropriate Section 42 licence was granted by English Heritage. The Site is the location for a proposed electricity sub-station. Excavations adjacent to the Site in the mid 1960s to early 1980s revealed complex archaeological deposits including a large Roman cemetery and the primary purpose of the survey was to try to ascertain if similar deposits survived within the area earmarked for the sub-station. The sub-surface composition of the Site appears to comprise made ground, composed mainly of burnt stones, and a metalled surface to the east. The ground conditions made both the earth resistance and gradiometer surveys problematic. The only detectable anomaly of anthropogenic origin was a modern service. There was only a thin skim of soil overlying the stony layer, which prevented the earth resistance meter from penetrating to detect deeper anomalies.