SDO12318 - Land off Eastworth Road, Verwood, Dorset. Report on the Archaeological Evaluation

This evaluation has resulted from the archaeological condition placed on the construction of 104 houses on land off Eastworth Road, Verwood, Dorset. The site is central to an area of known archaeological activity, associated with the Verwood pottery industry, a tradition which began in the 14th century and continued until the mid-20th century. Given the archaeological potential of the proposed development site the Dorset County Archaeological officer asked Berkeley Homes to carry out an archaeological evaluation of the site. This was undertaken by Hampshire Archaeology Ltd. The results of the archaeological evaluation demonstrate the following history of the site: a) The earliest evidence consists of an isolated flint core waste fragment with no associated prehistoric features. b) A ditch containing two sherds of 13th-14th century Medieval pottery. c) Evidence for a field system associated with some of the features located by the topographical survey but without secure dating evidence. d) Very limited evidence for ridge and furrow cultivation. e) Traces of 20th century cultivation. In summary it appears from the evaluation that significant archaeological traces are located at a depth of between 300mm and 400mm below the present ground level