SDO15328 - Land at Parmiter Drive, Wimborne, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation. Interim Report

‘This interim report on the archaeological evaluation on land at Parmiter Drive Wimborne, Dorset has been prepared by Wessex Archaeology, on behalf of Lewis Wyatt (Construction) Ltd., in order to allow East Dorset District Council to take an informed decision on the proposed development – Planning Application Ref: 3/15/0839/FUL. The document gives a broad overview of the findings of the evaluation. A full report of the evaluation, including full analysis of finds and environmental samples, an osteological report, C14 dating, full discussion of the results, artefact illustration and appendices, is currently in preparation, and once completed will be submitted in full to the Local Planning Authority. The field evaluation was undertaken between the 3rd and 13th of November and consisted of 25 evaluation trenches measuring 30 m x 2 m. These were targeted, where possible, on potential archaeological features identified during the previous geophysical survey, as well as testing blank areas and the projected route of a hypothetical Roman road. A substantial penannular ring ditch was identified in Trench 14 and is likely to represent the remains of a prehistoric barrow, although no human remains were observed within the trench. Trench 2 was designed to target a similar feature identified by the geophysical survey, but the trench was relocated due to the constraint of overhead power cables. A third circular feature was identified in Trench 17, although the ring ditch was less substantial and the function unclear. A fourth possible circular feature was targeted by Trench 23, but was identified as a tree throw. Three substantial ditches were also identified in Trenches 1, 8 and 12. No dating evidence was recovered from the east – west aligned ditch in Trench 1. The east – west aligned ditch in Trench 8 was cut by a small pit containing a complete food vessel dating to the Early Bronze Age. A substantial ditch measuring c. 2.7 m wide and 1.17 m deep was recorded in Trench 12. This appeared to have been deliberately backfilled with gravel material. Bone recovered from the top of this ditch has been identified as part of a cremation burial and, once processed, will be examined by an osteologist and a suitable sample sent for C14 dating. Several trenches were placed along the projected route of the Roman Road, which is thought to have linked the Roman town of Clausentum (located in the modern suburb of Bitterne in Southampton) to a legionary fortress situated west of Wimborne. Although an east - west ridge of slightly higher ground exists in this location, it was characterised by the field team as being geological in nature. No agger material or roadside ditches were present and, in any case, was cut by features of likely prehistoric date.’