SDO21089 - Potterswood Phase 3, East Worth, Verwood, Dorset: Results of an Archaeological Trial Trench Evaluation

‘An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by AC archaeology Ltd in August 2022 on land to the south of the existing Potterswood housing development, East Worth, Verwood, Dorset (NGR: SU08080949). Eight trenches, measuring between 20-30m in length, were targeted over the locations of various geophysical anomalies highlighted in a gradiometer survey. Most anomalies proved to be non-archaeological in origin, however some corresponded to the locations of former boundary ditches and sand extraction pits. The position and alignment of the boundary ditch corresponded with a configuration identified during archaeological investigations in the phase 1 Potterswood residential development as a post-medieval boundary. The sand extraction pits lie in the eastern portion of the proposed development area and comprise a surprisingly rich concentration of such features. These are likely to be post-medieval in date and cannot currently be assigned to any particular heathland industry, but their presence and concentration is considered reasonably important as sand extraction, of post-medieval and earlier date in the Verwood area, is poorly understood and only sporadically mapped.’