SDO13973 - Land at Lodden Lakes, Gillingham, Dorset, Archaeological Evaluation Report

‘Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Savills to carry out an archaeological trial trench evaluation on land at Lodden Lakes, Gillingham, centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) 381300 125750. The development of 90 dwellings with public open spaces within the Site is proposed. The evaluation was undertaken from 4th to 6th November 2014. The evaluation followed the compilation of a Desk-Based Assessment (DBA) which summarised the known archaeology in the vicinity of the Site, and a programme of geophysical survey which revealed a limited number of possible archaeological features. As a result, the Senior Archaeologist for Dorset County Council called for a trial trench evaluation to assess the presence or absence and extent of any buried archaeological remains that may exist within the Site, and which may be affected by development. The evaluation revealed the truncated remains of a rectilinear field system or systems extending across the Site. Stratigraphic, contextual and limited artefactual evidence indicates a medieval to post-medieval date for this agricultural activity. Finds include a few sherds of pottery, most being medieval and found residually in the topsoil – possibly demonstrating field manuring using midden material from nearby. A single post-medieval sherd was found in one section of the field system, as was a single flint blade. The latter implies limited prehistoric activity within the wider vicinity. The findings serve to inform the relevant parties as to the necessity for and methods of further archaeological mitigation or otherwise, whilst enhancing the archaeological record.’