SWX8467 - Land at Lower Putton Lane, Chickerell, Dorset. Archaeological Desk-based Assessment.

In April 2003 Cotswold Archaeology was commissioned by Strategic Land Patrnerships to carry out an Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of land at Lower Putton Lane, Chickerell, Dorset. The objective of the assessment was to identify the nature and extent of the recorded archaeological resource within both the site and its immediate environs. The archaeological potential of the site area is high. The deserted (or shrunken) medieval village of Putton is known to have been located within the site, earthworks from which remain extant and further related features can be seen on aerial photographs. Two hollow-ways and several closes, probably with the remains of structures present within them, are known to be located within the site. Documentary sources and pottery recovered from pipe trenches close by show that the site was occupied from the thirteenth century onwards. The features seen on aerial photographs and during observations in the field suggest that the site can be considered in three areas; the central area of the site has the greatest archaeological potential due to the extant earthworks; the southern area of the site is of lesser potential as aerial photographs suggest that enclosure boundaries may have been present, but these are no longer discernible on the ground; and the northern area is of lesser potential as no features or earthworks could be seen in this area. It is also conceivable that activity associated with a known Romano-British settlement to the south may extend into the site. The presence of alluvium also suggests the possible location of deposits of potential palaeoenvironmental interest within the site. As it is uncertain how far the medieval remains extend from the central area it is suggested that archaeological field evaluation of the northern and southern parts of the application area would be appropriate.