EDO8255 - The Moors at Arne; archaeological monitoring of ground investigation test pits 2025

OASIS: Project Methodology: Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Kier Infrastructure to undertake archaeological monitoring of ground investigation test pits, together with an archaeological evaluation of a 0.66 hectare parcel of land designated as Borrow Pit 9, as part of the Coastal Change Project located on Arne Moor within the Wareham Basin, Dorset (NGR 394500 086900). The investigations formed part of a programme of archaeological works undertaken in support of the Poole Harbour Habitat Creation Project by the Environment Agency and were carried out as a condition of planning permission, granted by Dorset Council (Planning reference P/VOC/2025/01655). The monitoring of GI test pits was centred on NGR 394580 087100, while the trial trenches within Borrow Pit 9 were centred on NGR 393900 086850. Project Results: No archaeological features or deposits were observed within the 29 ground investigation test pits, although a sequence of alluvial clays capping a layer of peat was identified overlying the sand and gravel superficial geology. The investigations within Borrow Pit 9 initially comprised the excavation of seven trial trenches; an additional trench and two mitigation areas were subsequently opened to further investigate the archaeological remains revealed within three of the trenches in the south-east corner of this area. The features comprised a segmented ring ditch and a curvilinear ditch of possible later prehistoric/Romano-British date, as well as two linear ditches relating to a later system of drainage ditches. The associated small assemblage of finds and environmental remains is limited in quantity and condition, although the pottery indicates a possible Romano-British or later date for the linear ditches.