Land East of Elm Close, Sturminster Newton, Dorset: Archaeological Evaluation

The evaluation comprised 23 trial trenches, each measuring 30 m by 2 m (a 2% sample), targeted on anomalies in the geophysical survey and was undertaken between 16th - 20th March 2020. The evaluation identified limited archaeology features within the proposed development site. The only datable feature is a posthole of prehistoric in date. An undated ditch was recorded with the western portion of the site. The ditch was broadly aligned north-northeast - south-southwest and may be associated with drainage or a former field boundary pre-dating the 1845 Tithe Map. The only other archaeology features encounter were a couple of ephemeral postholes and shallow gully terminuses, most likely associated with post-medieval agricultural practices.