SDO21097 - Watching Brief at A31 Barrier Replacement, Wimborne Minster

OASIS wessexar1-512587: To undertake an archaeological watching brief during roadworks to replace safety barriers, or Permanent Vehicle Restraint Systems (VRS), together with a road sign, on the A31 highway east of the roundabout junction with B3078, south of Wimborne Minster, Dorset and centred on NGR 399851, 099098 (Fig. 1). 1.1.2 All the works were located within the existing highway boundary and adjacent to the carriageway where it is believed that all archaeological remains were excavated during the construction of the A31 (Horsey and Jarvis 1979). Additionally, all excavations were limited to a maximum depth of the existing foundations of the VRS at this location (an estimated maximum depth of approximately 1 m below ground level). Taking the above into consideration, no physical impacts on archaeological remains were expected. Project Results: 8.1.1 The watching brief has successfully demonstrated that no impact on the surviving archaeological resource took place, with all excavations being limited to within the maximum depth of the existing VRS foundations, at 1 m below ground level. The presence of possible layers of undisturbed natural deposits at depths of 0.80 – 1.0 m below ground level demonstrates that if archaeological features do survive, they are likely to be below the impact of these excavations. 8.1.2 The lack of archaeological finds and features encountered during the project is in line with what was initially anticipated given that all excavations took place within the existing highway boundary. No evidence of previous archaeological excavations was recorded, with all features and deposits relating to modern made ground, construction cuts and drainage. Relatively minimal evidence of in situ deposits was encountered, except where possible buried topsoil was recorded in trial holes 65 and 66.