SDO15631 - Gillingham Southern Extension, Dorset. Geophysical Survey

‘Headland Archaeology (UK) Ltd undertook a geophysical (magnetometer) survey of a 115 hectare site, south of Gillingham, Dorset, as part of a baseline assessment of the heritage potential of the site. This information will help guide archaeological strategy in advance of the proposed development of the site. The majority of anomalies are indicative of post-medieval agricultural and modern activity with some natural variation within the soils due to the localised presence of alluvial deposits and the widespread distribution of other superficial deposits. One area of clear archaeological potential has, however, been located in the south-western corner of the site. Here linear anomalies forming one small square enclosure and one larger rectangular enclosure, together with other ditch type anomalies, have been identified. This area is assessed as of moderate to high archaeological potential. A curvilinear anomaly which may locate the continuation of a medieval deer park pale boundary (which is recorded beyond the site limits) has also been identified. However, this interpretation is extremely tentative and the anomaly could be indicative of much more recent agricultural activity. Consequently its potential is assessed as low to moderate. The archaeological potential of the remainder of the site is assessed as very low.’