SDO122 - Archaeological observations during the construction of a new pumping station and associated works on land to the south of Pond Head Cottage, Milton Abbas, Dorset (ST804012)

The archaeological monitoring during the construction of a new pumping station and associated works on land to the south of Pond Head Cottage, Milton Abbas, was carried out by AC Archaeology during late September and October 2000. A previous archaeological evaluation on the site had identified the potential for damage to a well preserved Medieval 'strip lynchet' system. The archaeological monitoring of groundworks consisted of close observation of all topsoil striping and sensitive pipe trench excavation, with additional supervision of the work alongside the lynchets to prevent disturbance. The scheme has avoided any previously unknown archaeological features, and has been generally successful in protecting the well-preserved lynchets from damage during construction. The complete absence of artefacts from all areas, suggests that there has been little or no settlement activity in this area in the past and that agriculture has been the primary land-use.