SDO17302 - Land off Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset: Results of archaeological evaluation

‘An archaeological evaluation consisting of the machine-excavation of fifteen trenches, on land off Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset (ST 79670 25980) was undertaken by AC archaeology Ltd during February 2021. The investigation was undertaken in support of a planning application relating to a new housing development and associated infrastructure. The application area has been subject to a previous Desk Based Assessment and Magnetometer Survey. The evaluation has provided limited evidence for archaeological interest on the site. One area, in the south portion of the application area revealed some limited evidence for probable Late Bronze Age occupation, while much of the remaining activity appears to represent features relating to post-medieval drainage on the site, along with features of uncertain nature or origin. A 19th or 20th century field boundary was also recorded in three of the trenches excavated. With the exception of this boundary feature, little of the remaining archaeological activity on the site was evident on the geophysical survey results.’