SDO15255 - Queens Avenue and Maiden Castle Road Link, Dorchester, Dorset. Rapid Desk-Based Assessment and Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report

‘A detailed gradiometer survey was conducted over land between Queens Avenue and Maiden Castle Road on the southwest edge of Dorchester, Dorset. The project was commissioned by ZeroC Holdings Ltd. with the aim of establishing the presence, or otherwise, and nature of detectable archaeological features on the site ahead of a proposed development of a link road. The site comprises the eastern edge of two playing fields adjacent to the Thomas Hardye School, approximately 1km southwest of the centre of Dorchester. A total of 1.92ha were surveyed with only a small area lost to an allotment and part of a tennis court. The site lies on a gentle south facing slope located between the Iron Age hillforts of Maiden Castle and Poundbury. Also undertaken in conjunction with the geophysical survey were a rapid desk-based assessment and a review of available aerial photographs held at the English Heritage Archive in Swindon. Results from these assessments are summarised here and have been used to inform the conclusions of the geophysical survey. The geophysical survey has demonstrated the presence of a few small anomalies of possible archaeological interest within the survey area, along with numerous agricultural features. The majority of detected anomalies appear to relate to agricultural activity with ploughing scars of at least two phases and other broad linear features interpreted as agricultural. The only anomalies of possible interest are a few small positive anomalies that may represent pits or postholes; it should be noted that a geological explanation for their formation is also possible. The geophysical survey has demonstrated a low archaeological potential across the Site and it is considered that no further archaeological evaluation is required to inform the planning application. If any archaeological mitigation is deemed necessary, e.g. watching brief, it could be secured as a condition of any planning permission granted for the proposed development. The geophysical survey was undertaken on 7th October 2014.’