SDO13876 - An Archaeological Field Evaluation of Land off Edmondsham Road, Verwood, Dorset (NGR SZ08450942)

The archaeological evaluation of the proposed development of land off Edmondsham Road, Verwood, comprised the machine excavation of five trenches, amounting to an approximate 2% sample of the area. A low level of archaeological activity was encountered on the site. A linear gully in Trench 2 and two shallow postholes in Trench 5 produced post-medieval Verwood pottery. Trench 3 was located to cut through a low mound thought to be of possible archaeological significance, but the trench profile displayed no evidence of a positive archaeological feature, and the ‘mound’ was demonstrated to be a natural knoll occurring within the Poole Formations. An undated possible ditch terminal recorded within the central part of Trench 3 yielded a single worked flint blade and small quantities of burnt sandstone, and may reflect a localised area of activity. Although the nature of this activity is indeterminate, it is unlikely to represent significant and extensive settlement remains. Given the sporadic nature of the archaeology encountered, and the absence of medieval or earlier finds from the topsoil contexts across the site, it is considered that there is a low potential for the existence of further archaeological remains within the application area.