SDO11423 - A Proposed Development at Gillingham School, Gillingham, Dorset centred on NGR ST 8115 2652. Results of an archaeological evaluation.

An archaeological trench evaluation on land adjacent to Gillingham School, Gillingham, Dorset (ST 8115 27652 [sic]) was undertaken by AC archaeology during June 2005. The site is located in the Newbury area of the town, which was considered to be a late 13th century suburban expansion of the town. The evaluation comprised the machine-excavation of ten trenches, totalling 177.5m in length, with each trench 1.5m wide. The work revealed extensive evidence for medieval activity, including a series of occupation layers that in some instances masked archaeological features. In other areas features were either sealed by colluvial layers or were visible when natural subsoil was exposed. Features recorded comprised the normal range associated with domestic settlement, including a probable hearth and other linear and discrete features. A significant quantity of pottery was recovered, which derives from many different production centres. The assemblage indicates that the main period of settlement is the 12th to 13th centuries, with a probability that earlier (10th to 11th century) and later (14th century) activity is also represented. Archaeological deposits were located in the southern two thirds of the site, with the remaining area to the north containing some modern disturbance with no archaeological deposits.