SDO15544 - Report on the watching brief undertaken at Lodge Farm, Pamphill, Dorset 03/02/11

'This report describes the results of an archaeological watching brief undertaken on behalf of the National Trust during improvements to the internal heating system of Lodge Farm, Pamphill, Dorset (ST 97407 02150). The first phase of the works included laying out of a pipe trench from the house and the creation of a concrete hard standing for a new oil tank to the north-east of the farm house. The farm house, gardens and associated farm buildings are all National Trust property and are Grade II Listed Buildings, acquired by the Trust and restored during the 1990s.' 'The current works at Lodge Farm have confirmed the results of the excavations undertaken in the 1990's, which showed that the topsoil to the north of the farm house probably originated during the 19th and 20th centuries. Interestingly, the line of the Roman Road which passes through the gardens does appear to be marked by a wide, low earthwork along the north-eastern boundary of the property, which is higher that the adjoining field to the north. In this case, it appears that the Roman and Medieval horizons are more than 0.5m deep in this area (probably at least 1m, if not more)and that the low earthwork has been formed in part by post medieval gardening. Although this indicates that arechaeological deposits may be well preserved in this area , elsewhere these horizons may be closer to the surface and more vulnerable to disturbance. Certainly, the lawn areas to the north and south of the farm house have produced numerous casual finds over the years and may preseerve further extensive archaeological deposits.'