SDO11429 - A Proposed Development on Land at Park Farm, Shaftesbury Road, Gillingham, Dorset: Results of archaeological trench evaluation.

An archaeological evaluation of a proposed development of c. 3.2 hectares of land adjacent to Park Farm, Gillingham, Dorset (ST 822 253), was carried out by AC archaeology during March 2003. The evaluation comprised the machine excavation of eight trenches, totalling 300m in length, and providing 2% coverage of the proposed development area. Only limited evidence for archaeological activity was identified, comprising a single undated shallow ditch, a quantity of medieval pottery from a single vessel and a post-medieval horseshoe. The site does, however, contain a portion of the bank boundary (pale) which surrounded the medieval deer park at Gillingham. This can be seen as a well-0reserved linear earthwork on the south-west side of the site but it will not be affected by the proposed development.