SDO21425 - North Mead Farm, Portesham, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation

In June 2013 Bournemouth Archaeology, Bournemouth University's archaeological consultancy unit, was commissioned by the owners of North Mead Farm, Portesham, Dorset to carry out an archaeological evaluation of land at North Mead Farm Dorset in advance of proposed works to demolish redundant agricultural store and sheds, construct access road/drive, erect two detached dwellings and associated garages and car ports. No previous archaeological investigations had been carried out on the site. A total of five evaluation trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator. Several mortar deposits were identified and recorded in Trenches 1 and 2. A possible wall foundation cut and a ditch were also identified in Trench 1. A linear ditch or pit-like feature was identified in Trench 3, as well as mortar deposits. A N/S aligned wall was identified in Trench 4 as was an area of possible stone cobbling. No archaeological features were identified in trench 5. Finds included pottery, animal bone, metal, glass and flint. The ceramic assemblage indicates a date range from the 13th century to the early post medieval period.