SDO126 - A Proposed Development of Land Adjacent to Barnaby Mead, Gillingham, Dorset

'An archaeological field evaluation by means of trench excavation of land adjacent to Barnaby Mead, Gillingham, Dorset (NGR ST81022682) was carried out by AC archaeology during July 2001. The site covers an area of approximately 1.8 hectares and is located in the eastern half of a larger pasture field. The north of the proposed development site extends onto the River Shreen flood plain, but to the south, above an abrupt break in slope the land rises. There are no previously recorded archaeological sites and monuments within the proposed development area, but it lies immediately to the south of where evidence for an early Neolithic settlement was identified during the construction in 1912 of the Gillingham Grammar School swimming pool. The fieldwork comprised the machine-excavation of eight trenches totalling 240m in length, positioned throughout the application area. Evidence for medieval settlement activity, including the presence of late Saxon pottery was present in the south east part of the area. A well-constructed trackway, partly visible as an earthwork, was recorded in the central area of the site. This may be of Roman date. No evidence for Neolithic activity was present.'