SDO12344 - Land at Home Barn, Bradford Peverell, Dorset. Archaeological Desk-based Assessment

A desk-based assessment was undertaken in December 1995 of an area of land within which a proposed housing development will be located in the vicinity of Home Barn, Bradford Peverell, Dorset. The study area is centred on SY 6575 9285. The course of a Roman aqueduct which carried water to the Roman town of Durnovaria (Dorchester), some sections of which survive as visible earthworks, runs around the sides of the valley in which Home Barn lies. The part of the aqueduct which flanks the south-eastern side of the valley is one amongst several sections which are protected as a scheduled ancient monument; the aqueduct also survives as an earthwork along the north-western side of the valley, although this section is not currently scheduled. A Roman road is known to have run through Bradford Peverell (on the course of the modern road through the village) and Saxon burials have been excavated at Frome View c.0.3km east of Home Barn. There are no other recorded sites of archaeological significance within the immediate vicinity of Home Barn, which is probably of 19th century date and is now partly demolished. Recent observations in advance of and during residential development near the Manor House, not far to the north-east of Home Barn, have largely recorded evidence of post-medieval buildings, but have also suggested the preservation of possible prehistoric deposits.