SDO16671 - Land at Grimstone Reservoir, Stratton, Dorset. Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report

OASIS: WA Heritage was commissioned by Wessex Water to conduct detailed geophysical survey on land adjacent to Grimstone reservoir, near Stratton, Dorset, ahead of a proposed development. The optioned development areas for the Site comprise approximately 0.4ha, although in total, 0.8ha was surveyed in a single block to put these areas into a wider context. The survey was carried out using a Bartington Grad601-2 dual sensor gradiometer system over grids 20m x 20m. Wessex Water are proposing to construct an additional reservoir adjacent to the existing facility. Following consultations with Dorset County Council and English Heritage, it was agreed that three sites should be further investigated via geophysical survey to inform of their potential to contain archaeological remains Geophysical survey has been successful in identifying a number of anomalies of probable archaeological provenance. The most significant of these is a sub-annular anomaly some 19m in diameter, which is likely to represent the remains of a round barrow. Elsewhere, several linear and numerous discrete anomalies of probable archaeological significance have been identified. A number of weaker trends may be of archaeological interest, although their interpretation is limited by the extent of magnetic disturbance resulting from the construction of the existing reservoir and associated services.