SDO21142 - Land at Alaska Wind Farm, Wareham, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation

‘Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by RPS Consulting Services Ltd (Abingdon), on behalf of Infinergy Ltd, to undertake an archaeological evaluation of an 8 hectare parcel of land located in Alaska Wind Farm, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7PJ, centred on NGR 386870 088105. The evaluation comprised the excavation, investigation and recording of 14 trial trenches (7 measuring 100 m, 7 measuring 50 m, all 2 m wide). Six trenches contained archaeological features, with particular concentrations in the east and west of the site. The linear and discrete features are largely undated and have unknown functions, although large over 2m wide ditches found in Trench 12, are possible evidence of and a continuation of the Battery Bank, designated as a scheduled monument with surviving sections to the east and west of the site. The principal site specific aim of the evaluation was to identify if evidence of the Battery Bank could be identified within the site, and the evaluation has potentially achieved this aim. The evaluation however was unable to add any dating evidence to the possible founding and construction of the Bank. Other notable finds were Bronze Age pottery recovered from a single small pit found within Trench 11, and from Trench 12 a square feature with possible flue, which contained a large amount of charcoal, along with charcoal, burnt flint and in-situ burning, and which could indicate some form of industrial activity within the site.’