SDO16981 - A338, Wessex Fields, Bournemouth, Dorset. Archaeological Watching Brief

‘Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Hanson Contracting to undertake an archaeological watching brief on groundworks associated with the construction of a separate junction and related works on the A338 Wessex Way, Bournemouth. Archaeological monitoring was associated with the construction of a separated junction and related works to provide access to the Riverside Avenue Employment Site, Wessex Fields Business Park and Royal Bournemouth Hospital. The monitored works were centred on NGR 412975 094965. The investigation was undertaken in order to mitigate Condition 30 of planning permission granted by Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council (7- 2018-9177-DL). The fieldwork was undertaken between 18 to 23 October 2019. Four ditches were identified and recorded during the watching brief. The features are thought to represent field boundaries as identified in a geophysical survey undertaken prior to this phase of works (Wessex Archaeology 2018). The ditches have been dated to the medieval period by pottery recovered, and background prehistoric activity is also highlighted by the presence of a flint flake and burnt flint recovered from ditch 104. A single sherd of Roman pottery was also retained, though this is believed to have been residual.’