SDO12529 - Report on the watching brief undertaken at Eye Mead and Bickham Farm, Pamphill, Dorset

This report describes the results of two archaeological watching briefs undertaken on behalf of the National Trust and the Kingston Lacy Estate during habitat enhancement works on the River Stour at Eye Mead Pamphill, Dorset, and the River Allen at Bickham Farm, Pamphill Dorset. Fields 1 and 2, Eye Mead: The current works at Eye Mead have shown that although the earthwork of the roman road passes through both fields, the other relic surface features visible within both fields probably date from the post medieval period and that any evidence of earlier occupation is deeply buried within the underlying clays. The recovery of preserved wood and timbers in Field 1 is a significant find that shows that such deposits do exist in this area and could well preserve important organic and environmental data (of unknown date at present). Similarly, the identification of a worked timber and parallel ditches preserved in the bank of that are being destroyed by ongoing erosion of the river bank. In terms of future management of the site any works that involve excavation at depth should be closely monitored and if possible the banks of the river stabilised to prevent further erosion of the archaeological resource. Bickham Farm: Whilst the results of the excavations at Bickham have revealed no new or significant archaeological features, they have been successful in avoiding the disturbance of in-situ archaeological deposits and have confirmed the historic evidence for intensified land use of the area in the 19th and 20th centuries. The discovery of prehistoric flints in the scrape and the maize field to the south-west indicated that earlier prehistoric occupation or activities were also taking place in the vicinity. Unfortunately, these small flint scatters are common in areas of natural flint sources and the assemblages are too small to indicate exactly when or what these prehistoric activities were. The field is also to be managed as long term permanent pasture and wetland by the Kingston Lacy Estate, so that future excavations are unlikely to occur, but the surrounding fields are regularly ploughed and could be field walked in the future.