SDO21465 - Pole Replacements, Scheduled Monuments on Winfrith Heath E2L5 & E7L5. Archaeological Watching Brief

‘Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) (‘the client’) to undertake an archaeological watching brief during the relocation of existing intermediate poles at three locations lying within the bounds of scheduled monuments; Bowl Barrow east of Chideock Farm (Location 1; SY7995 8164) East Lulworth (Location 2; SY8589 8222) and at East Lodge (Location 3; SY8574 8283). The works undertaken are part of the Winfrith Heath (WINH) E2L5 11kv Circuit network Improvement Scheme. The works at location 1 were located within the bounds of a Scheduled Monument (SM): NHLE 1008680 – Bowl Barrow 550m east of Chideock Farm. The works at locations 2 and 3 were located within the bounds of a Scheduled Monument (SM): NHLE 1017306 – Medieval Settlement and Park Pale at East Lulworth. All works were agreed in consultation with the Inspector of Ancient Monuments at Historic England and with Scheduled Monument Consent granted on condition that all works are monitored by an archaeologist and results appropriately reported to Historic England. Two trenches were excavated at location 1, trench 1 (1.20 m long, 0.60 m wide. 1.20 m deep) was dug to facilitate the removal of the existing pole, trench 2 was excavated for the new pole (2 m long, 0.60 m wide and 1.90 m deep). The new pole trench (2) adjacent to the barrow exposed a ditch covered by possible barrow mound material. Due to the confines of the trench it was not possible to determine the purpose of the feature and no finds were recovered for dating, but the proximity of the ditch to the barrow may suggest it is the associated ring ditch. Excavations at East Lulworth (location 2) were dug for the removal and replacement of the existing transformer H pole. During the instalment of the new H pole the reading on the earthing cable was tested which proved to be too high. To lower the reading, the trench (trench 3) was extended (8 m long, 0.60 m wide, 0.90 m deep) to the south to install a replacement cable and bring the value down to the acceptable level. No archaeological features or deposits were observed. Work at East Lodge (location 3) comprised of auguring a hole for the installation of a helix screw-in stay to help support the existing pole. Due to a high reading on the existing earthing cable at the pole, trench 4 measuring approximately 10 m long and 0.50 m wide was excavated to the south-east of the pole, so that a replacement cable could be installed. The depth of excavation varied from 0.50 m at the north-west end to 0.90 m at the south-east. Excavations at location 2 revealed natural deposits and the backfill of the original pole trench. Trench 4 exposed the fragmentary remains of a dry-stone wall or masonry remnants of indeterminate date, but was found in association with finds of undoubtable modern date, which were noted but not retained. No other archaeological features or deposits were observed.’