SDO14918 - Yewstock School 14-19 base, Sturminster Newton, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation

‘In October 2012 Bournemouth Archaeology, Bournemouth University’s archaeological consultancy unit, was commissioned by Dorset Property to carry out an archaeological evaluation of land at Sturminster Newton High School in Sturminster Newton, Dorset in advance of a proposed development for a new school building. No previous archaeological investigations had been carried out on the site. A total of six evaluation trenches were excavated by JCB, each measuring approximately 5m in length and 2m wide. Two features of archaeological origin were recorded in one of the trenches (Trench 6). A small shallow pit of unknown date was recorded, as well as a linear stone filled land drain of a probable post-medieval date. No finds were recovered from secure contexts, however a small amount of post medieval pottery, glass and clay pipe, as well as animal bone and sea shell were recovered from topsoil, indicative of manuring practices.'