Find Spot record MDO6737 - Mesolithic activity adjacent to River Jordan, Preston, Weymouth

In 1998 test pits dug on the approximate course of a proposed tank sewer revealed a considerable amount of worked flint of possible Mesolithic date. The flint was concentrated around an area of slightly higher ground, and a test pit here revealed a feature containing a large amount of almost exclusively struck flint, also of possible Mesolithic date. This was interpreted as suggesting a concentration of activity, possibly flint working, in the area.

Area of proposed tank sewer lies to south of known extent of remains of Roman villa, moderate to high potential for associated remains within proposed area. (1)

Test pit evaluation revealed Romano-British pottery but no structures of Roman date. Also recovered considerable amount of worked flint of possible Mesolithic date, may imply activity of this date centred upon slightly higher area of ground overlooking River Jordan. (2)

Watching brief on machine excavated geotechnical pits revealed Romano-British ceramic building material and two sherds of pottery, one of samian dating to later 1st century and a sherd of a similar date although possible pre-Roman Iron Age date cannot be ruled out. Considerable amount of worked flint also recovered, some possibly dating to Mesolithic. May represent flint-knapping activity of this date. (3)

Watching brief on excavation of trench for construction of tank sewer recovered Romano-British ceramic building material, four pottery sherds of Romano-British fineware, one undiagnostic pre-Roman Iron Age sherd and two sherds too small to be identified. Five fragments of worked flint were also recovered. (4)

<1> Watson, K, 1998, Preston Tank Sewer, Weymouth, Dorset, Preliminary Desk-Based Archaeological Assessment (Unpublished document). SWX8600.

<2> Watson, K, Mepham, L, Lewis, J and Wyles, S, 1998, Preston Tank Sewer, Weymouth, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SWX8603.

<3> Crockett, A, 1998, Preston Tank Sewer, Weymouth, Dorset, Archaeological Monitoring of Geotechnic Pits (Unpublished document). SWX8595.

<4> Dunkley, M, 1998, Preston Tank Sewer, Weymouth, Dorset, Archaeological Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SWX8605.

Record last edited

Jan 4 2016 2:44PM