SDO21076 - Land at Alderholt Common, Alderholt, Dorset. Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report

‘A gradiometer survey was conducted over land at Land at Alderholt Common, Alderholt, Dorset (centred on NGR 412018 111797). The project was commissioned by Intelligent Land 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 as a solar farm. This report details the data collected to date, with a number of land parcels remaining unsurveyed due to crop. The gradiometer survey has not identified any anomalies that can confidently be interpreted as archaeology. However, several possible archaeological anomalies have been identified across the site. Two concentrations of weak ditch-like anomalies have been identified in the south of the site. Given the known features recorded in the surrounding area, it is possible that these relate to enclosures or boundaries dating anywhere from the Bronze Age through to the medieval period. However, these anomalies are noted in areas of variable geological deposits and could relate to natural undulations or modern agricultural activity. In the north of the site, there is possible evidence for a medieval trackway, consistent with other features in the surrounding area. However, this is recorded in an area of former plantation and could relate to the previous forestry activity. Numerous pit-like features have been identified across the site. While these have the potential to relate to archaeological pits, such as refuse or extraction pits, they are considered more likely to relate to natural pits and undulations in the sand and gravel deposits. However, given the surrounding prehistoric find spots, enclosures, and barrows recorded in the surrounding area, the possibility for archaeological finds within natural pits cannot be discounted. The site is known to have a mostly agricultural past since at least the post-medieval period. This is corroborated by the identification of two former field boundaries and areas of ridge and furrow cultivation. There is also evidence of more modern ploughing activity. The remaining anomalies are thought to be modern or natural in origin. The modern anomalies relate to made ground, drainage, and services.’