SDO12540 - Broadcroft Quarry, Easton, Portland: Summary report on the results of an archaeological watching brief during sewer diversion works.

This report sets out a summary of results from an archaeological watching brief during excavations associated with a new sewer diversion at Broadcroft Quarry Easton, Dorset. The work was commissioned by Wessex Water and undertaken by AC archaeology during the summer of 2003. Throughout most of the scheme no evidence for archaeological activity was revealed, but a concentration of archaeological features and layers was identified adjacent to allotment approximately midway along the route. Most of the features investigated were exposed immediately following topsoil removal and it was therefore possible to deal with these prior to trench excavation. However, some features were located against the trench edge and were consequently recorded in section only. Archaeological activity was present in two distinct clusters, comprising a group of Iron Age pits to the west, and a series of post-holes and a midden deposit (context 44) to the east. The pits to the west included a sub-linear walled pit (F5), which contained a large quantity of finds including pottery, shell and part of a human skull. Most of the other features in this group are likely to have been used as storage pits, although one feature (F21) was probably a grave. The post-hole features were concentrated just outside the NE corner of the allotments, with indications that an Iron Age circular hut structure might be present in this location; some of the post-holes seemed to be forming the arc of a circle which if extended, would have measured c. 5.5m in diameter. Preliminary comments: The Iron Age archaeological activity recorded during this work appears to be a continuation of the settlement and funerary deposits identified elsewhere within the quarry. It is now possible to further refine the estimate of the extent of archaeological activity in the area, with deposits seemingly continuing further north than would previously have been anticipated. The excavations as part of the quarry extension are still ongoing and once this work is completed, the results from the watching brief will be incorporated into an overall publication for all investigations at Broadcroft.