SDO21172 - Winterborne Kingston (WIBK) E2L5 11kV Pole Replacement Scheme, Snag Lane, Milborne St Andrew, Dorset. Archaeological Monitoring and Recording

‘Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks to undertake archaeological monitoring and recording during the removal and replacement of one 11kV electricity wooden pole within the bounds of Scheduled Monument Medieval settlement remains 800 m south of Manor Farm (NHLE 1019361), Snag Lane, Milborne St Andrew, Dorset (NGR 380182 096354). The archaeological monitoring and recording was undertaken as a condition of Scheduled Monument Consent (ref. S00245106). The works were undertaken as part of a pole replacement scheme to deliver a more reliable, essential and secure electricity supply, and comprised the excavation of a slit trench in order to facilitate the removal of the defunct pole and installation of the new pole and block. The slit trench measured 3.40 m long, 0.75 m wide and 1.80 m deep and contained no archaeological features or deposits. Topsoil was found to seal geological deposits comprising superficial Head deposits, river terrace gravels and the natural chalk geology. Worked flint was recovered from the Head deposit (subsoil 102) which is largely undiagnostic and can only confidently be dated to the broad prehistoric period. It is noted, however, that the crude nature of the flint may be indicative of a Bronze Age date, in keeping with known activity within the area as demonstrated by the presence of a barrow of Bronze Age origin located to the south-west of the works. The lack of archaeological evidence is most probably due to the limited nature of the groundworks, which were designed to be of minimal impact, as opposed to a genuine reflection of the archaeological potential of the Scheduled Monument. The slit trench was backfilled with the excavated materials and the area levelled following completion of the pole replacement. The archaeological monitoring and recording was undertaken on the 16th April 2024.’