SWX8589 - An Archaeological Evaluation of Southdown Farm, Preston, Weymouth, Dorset

On behalf of the Wettam Estate an archaeological evaluation was carried out between 13th and 16th January 2003 at Southdown Farm, Preston, Weymouth, Dorset (centred on NGR: SY 6862 8182). Two trenches, each measuring1.50m x 5m, were excavated and recorded. In the northernmost trench (Trench A) a maximum depth of 0.27m of modern deposits sealed undisturbed natural geology. No significant archaeological deposits were present. The more southerly Trench B contained natural sandy clay at a depth of 0.50-0.87m below modern ground surface. This was sealed by a clean subsoil, 0.20-0.46m thick, which also filled a shallow feature cut into the natural clay. No evidence was recovered from the latter to indicate either function or date. The uppermost 0.17-0.46m of deposits in this trench comprised material associated with 19th-century and later farmyard surfaces.