Monument record MDO2431 - Field system, Sherborne Abbey Primary School, Lenthay Road, Sherborne

Possible N-S aligned field system identified at Lenthay Road through geophysical survey and trial trenching in advance of construction of Sherborne Abbey Primary School. Undated

Oxford Archaeotechnics conducted a magnetic susceptibility survey at a proposed school site (Sherborne Abbey Primary School replacement site) at Lenthay Road, Sherborne during January 1994.

Several, possibly ancient, land divisions were also suggested through the survey, on a different alignment (approximately E-W) to the present layout (approximately ENE-WSW) although one element of it still survives as a hedgerow. Furthermore, a slight earthwork was visible in field 4964 (the middle northern field). (1)

three gradiometer surveys were also undertaken in the area of the proposed school site which identified a series of weak N-S aligned anomalies. Some of these were shown in a subsequent evaluation to be post-medieval or earlier drainage trenches. However, some, on an E-W alignment were interpreted as field boundary ditches, [209], [211] & [223] for example. They remain undated however (2).

It is possible that these enigmatic remains represent a broadly N-S aligned field system, possibly predating the dominant alignments in the area which may themselves be Iron Age in origin (3).

<1> Johnson, A E, 1994, Potential school site at Lenthay Road, Sherborne, Dorset. Magnetic susceptibility survey (Unpublished document). SDO10351.

<2> Brading, R, 1998, Summary report on an archaeological evaluation at Sherborne Abbey Primary School replacement site Lenthay Road, Sherborne, Dorset. (Unpublished document). SDO10355.

<3> Davey, J E, 2005, The Roman to Medieval transition in the region of South Cadbury Castle, Somerset (Monograph). SDO10353.

Record last edited

Oct 11 2022 12:57PM