SDO14346 - Summary Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief at Land Adjacent to Forge Cottage, Dewlish, Dorset, March 1999

‘Following a documentary assessment and an archaeological evaluation (SAS 122), a watching brief was carried out during groundworks for residential dwellings on land adjacent to Forge Cottage, Dewlish, Dorset. The site is centred at NGR SY 7744 9820 and consists of a pasture field that slopes down from northwest to southeast between the heights of 92 and 89m OD. On Mediaeval and five possible Mediaeval features were noted, three with evidence of burning in situ. In general the evidence confirmed that the area was on the edge of a Mediaeval settlement, still in evidence in earthworks to the east of the Puddletown road, and that the subsoil has its origins in a Mediaeval ploughsoil. There was a significant amount of Mediaeval pottery in the subsoil which is probably due to field-marling. Possible foundations of the buildings that formerly stood on the site and were demolished between 1845 and 1902 were observed. The natural geology of the site is clay with flints. The watching brief took place between 16 and 22 March 1999. All the archaeological work was carried out by Southern Archaeological Services Ltd of Southampton and was funded by Applecourt Limited of Poole.’