SDO16308 - Knighton Lane, Bearwood, Dorset. Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report

‘A detailed gradiometer survey was conducted over land at Knighton Lane, Bearwood (centred on NGR 404915 097405). The project was commissioned by Chapman Lily Planning Ltd with the aim of establishing the presence, or otherwise, and nature of detectable archaeological features in support of a planning application for the development of the site for residential properties. The site comprises several arable fields located over land north of Bearwood, Dorset, covering an area of 33.3 ha. The geophysical survey was undertaken between 6 – 12 June and 5 July 2018. The survey has demonstrated the presence of a number of anomalies of archaeological interest in the north-eastern portion of the survey, as well as many more anomalies of possible archaeological interest throughout the dataset. An area of possible settlement activity has been identified in the north-east in the form of a series of enclosures divided by drove ways. The form of these anomalies suggests they are Iron Age/Romano-British in origin. However, at least two possible phases of activity have been identified and further investigation would be required to confirm an accurate date for the features and the relationship between them. Several other anomalies across the site may also relate to former settlement activity. These include two possible rectilinear enclosures and an area of three possible ring ditches. There is also an area of semi-coherent, magnetically strong responses that is suggestive of fired material or made ground, although it is tentatively suggested that this maybe associated with burnt-down remains of a structure. There is no evidence for the poorly defined ditch recorded as being identified by a previous excavation in the area. However numerous pit-like anomalies are recorded across the site. It is possible that some of these have an archaeological origin, such as that found during the excavations and several recorded in the wider surrounding area. However, it is not possible to distinguish between an archaeological pit and natural pitting in the bedrock from the geophysical data alone. The survey has also identified evidence of ridge and furrow across the area, as well as several former field boundaries. This suggests that the area has been used for agricultural activity since at least the post-medieval period. The remaining anomalies are thought to be modern or natural in origin. The modern anomalies include services, pylons, and other ferrous objects.’