Former Milldown School, Blandford Forum, Dorset · 2015. 4. 13. · 1200 series GPS and all...

Former Milldown School, Blandford Forum,

Dorset

Archaeological Evaluation

December 2104

on behalf of

Bellway Homes Ltd.

CA Project 770158 CA Report: 14613

FORMER MILLDOWN SCHOOL,

BLANDFORD FORUM, DORSET

Archaeological Evaluation

CA Project: 770158 CA Report: 14613

prepared by Adam Howard, Project Supervisor Designate/Joe Whelan, Project Officer

date 12.12.14

checked by Joe Whelan – Project Officer

date 17.12.14

approved by Richard Greatorex Principle Fieldwork Manager

signed

date 19.12.14

issue 01

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely

at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

© Cotswold Archaeology

Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover

Building 11 Unit 4 Stanley House

Kemble Enterprise Park Cromwell Business Centre Walworth Road

Kemble, Cirencester Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Andover, Hampshire

Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ MK16 9QS SP10 5LH t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 218320 t. 01264 347630 f. 01285 771033

e. [email protected]


1

Former Milldown School, Blandford: Archaeological Evaluation

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 3

The site .............................................................................................................. 3

Archaeological background ................................................................................ 3

Archaeological objectives ................................................................................... 4

Methodology ....................................................................................................... 4

2. RESULTS (FIGURES 2-5) ................................................................................. 6

The finds evidence ............................................................................................. 8

4. CA PROJECT TEAM .......................................................................................... 11

5. REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 11

APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTION ...................................................................... 12

Appendix B: The finds evidence ......................................................................... 14

APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM .......................................................................... 15

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan

Fig. 2 Trench location plan

Fig. 3 Trench 1: Section [108] and Trial Pit Section [112]

Fig. 4 Trench 5: Section [504] and [506]

Fig. 5 Trench 6: Ditch Section [606], Pit [903], [1002]


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Summary

Project Name: Former Milldown School

Location: Blandford Forum, Dorset

NGR: 388303 107385

Type: Evaluation

Date: 24 - 28 November 2014

Planning Reference:

SMC:

Location of Archive: To be deposited Dorchester Museum

Accession Number: TBC

Site Code: MDS14

In November 2014 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological evaluation for

Bellway Homes Ltd at the former Milldown School, Blandford Forum (centred on NGR:

388303 107385; Fig. 1).

Twelve trenches were excavated revealing prehistoric (and possibly Romano-British)

occupation of the site in the form of pits and ditches which included pottery dating to the

early prehistoric (Neolithic / Middle Bronze Age) and worked and burnt flints of a probable

Bronze Age date. In terms of dating, this corresponded with the findings of an earlier

evaluation (AC 2012) in the eastern half of the development, although the features identified

during that phase of evaluation did not extend into any of the 2014 trenches.

It is likely therefore that some form of area excavation (mitigation) will be required as a

planning condition prior to construction.


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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In November 2014 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological

evaluation for Bellway Homes Ltd at the former Milldown School, Blandford Forum

centred on National Grid Reference (NGR) 388303 107385 (hereafter referred to as

the Site; Figure 1). The evaluation was undertaken as the first stage of fulfilling the

archaeological condition attached to North Dorset District Council’s (NDDC) grant of

planning consent for residential development on the Site. In order to fully inform

NDDC regarding the archaeological potential of the Site, the SA had requested that

a second phase of archaeological evaluation and reporting should be undertaken in

support of the planning application for residential development. The first phase of

evaluation, undertaken in 2012 (AC 2012), was predominantly located within the

eastern half of the development.

1.2 The current phase of evaluation was carried out in accordance with a detailed

Written Scheme of Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2014) and approved by the

SA for DCC. The fieldwork also followed the Standard and Guidance for

Archaeological Field Evaluation (IfA 2009), the Management of Archaeological

Projects (English Heritage 1991) and the Management of Research Projects in the

Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project Manager’s Guide (English Heritage 2006).

The site

1.3 The Site is situated within the grounds of the former school, which is currently

occupied by partially demolished school buildings, tarmac playground surfaces and

a former playing field area with grass and trees to the south-east. The topography of

the Site slopes down gently to the south and south-west and lies between 55m and

61m above Ordnance Datum (aOD). The underlying geology comprises Clay with

flints overlying (capping) Upper Chalk.

Archaeological background

1.9 Prior to the 2012 evaluation, there were no known archaeological remains on the

Site. The closest known archaeology at that time comprised a Neolithic and Early

Bronze Age unenclosed settlement located approximately 400m to the south-west,

on the new Milldown Primary School site. Previous trial pits external to the boundary


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of the Site, recovered evidence of prehistoric worked flint within the subsoil (AC

2012; Julian Richards pers. comm).

1.10 The 2012 evaluation comprised eight trenches, predominantly focussed in the

eastern half of the development footpint. The evidence recovered, appeared to be

related to a Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age enclosure and a further boundary ditch

of prehistoric date. The enclosure ditch was identified in AC trenches 2, 6 and 5 with

a second linear feature recorded in AC trench 2. These features located to the north

of the current trenches in the former playing field were not further identified in the

current evaluation. Artefacts recovered included pottery, and worked flint from the

enclosure ditch. It is clear therefore that the Stour River attracted early settlement,

especially close to the bend of the River where the flow would have slowed and

allowed safer fishing and loading and unloading of supplies etc.

Archaeological objectives

1.11 The objectives of the evaluation were to assess whether early prehistoric remains

previously identified in the eastern part of the Site, extended into the western half of

the development footprint, where greater previous impacts in the form of school

buildings and associated infrastructure might have potentially affected the survival of

archaeological remains. The evaluation sought to provide information about the

archaeological resource within the Site, including its presence/absence, character,

extent, date, integrity, state of preservation and quality.

1.12 In accordance with the Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Field Evaluation

(IfA 2009), the evaluation was designed to be minimally intrusive and minimally

destructive to archaeological remains. The information gathered will enable the

Dorset County Council Senior Archaeologist acting on behalf of the LPA to identify

and assess the particular significance of any heritage asset, consider the impact of

the proposed development upon it, and to avoid or minimise conflict between the

heritage asset’s conservation and any aspect of the development proposal, in line

with the National Planning Policy Framework (DCLG 2012).

Methodology

1.13 The proposed fieldwork was originally going to comprise the excavation and

recording of 6no. x 30m x 2m trial trenches and 8no. x 15m x 2m trial trenches,


5


making a total of 14 trenches. In the event, due to the presence of services and

deep modern foundations, it was only possible to excavate 13 of the proposed

trenches (6 no x 30m x 1.9m and 7 no x 15m x 1.9m). Several trench locations were

also altered due to the presence of services or fenced areas protecting trees to be

retained (Figure 2). As a result Trench 1 was moved slightly to the north to avoid

standing trees; Trenches 1 and 7 were extended in length by 5m to take up the

shortfall created by the abandonment of Trench 13; Trenches 8 and 9 were moved

to the north to avoid tree protection areas. Excavation of Trench 13 could not be

undertaken due to the presence of several services and a tree protection area.

1.14 Prior to the evaluation, an ecological survey was conducted and general ground

clearance works associated with the sites demolition. As a consequence in the

former playing field to the south-east of the Site approximately 0.10m of topsoil had

been stripped from across the entire site area. To the north-west tarmac surfaces

had largely been broken up and removed to a similar depth.

1.15 The trenches were set out on OS National Grid (NGR) co-ordinates using Leica GPS

and surveyed in accordance with CA Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual (CA 2012).

1.16 All trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator equipped with a toothless

grading bucket. All machine excavation was undertaken under constant

archaeological supervision to the top of the first significant archaeological horizon or

the natural substrate, whichever was encountered first. Where archaeological

deposits were encountered they were excavated by hand in accordance with CA

Technical Manual 1: Fieldwork Recording Manual (2013).

1.17 Following machining, all archaeological features revealed were planned and

recorded in accordance with Technical Manual 1 Fieldwork Recording Manual (CA

2013). Each context was recorded on a pro-forma context sheet by written and

measured description; principal deposits were recorded electronically using Leica

1200 series GPS and all sections were hand drawn (scale 1:10). Where detailed

feature planning was undertaken using GPS this was carried out in accordance with

Technical Manual 4 Survey Manual (CA 2012). Photographs (digital colour) were

taken as appropriate. All finds were bagged separately and related to the context

record. All artefacts were recovered and retained for processing and analysis in

accordance with Technical Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after

Excavation (CA 1995).


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1.18 Deposits were assessed for their palaeoenvironmental potential in accordance with

CA Technical Manual 2: The Taking and Processing of Environmental and Other

Samples from Archaeological Sites (2003). As a consequence no environmental

samples were retained.

1.17 The archive and artefacts from the evaluation are currently held by CA at their

offices in Andover. Subject to the agreement of the legal landowner they will be

deposited with Dorchester Museum, along with the site archive. A summary of

information from this project, set out within Appendix C, will be entered onto the

OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS (FIGURES 2-5)

2.1 This section provides an overview of the evaluation results. The trenches which did

not contain any archaeological features or horizons are not discussed any further

here, but are summarised in Appendix A along with detailed summaries of all the

recorded contexts, the finds summaries are included below.

Trench 1 (Figures 2 & 3)

2.2 Trench 1 was aligned north/south, located on a steep slope, and measured 20m in

length. The trench was almost perpendicular to ACT3 and where it crossed that

earlier trench, a previously unrecorded pit was identified. Trench 1 was excavated

to a maximum depth of 1.37m (at its southern extent). Natural comprised a

combination of 103 (mid-yellow/brown flint/silt/clay) and 104 (yellow/brown flint/clay

with weathered chalk striations) overlain by 102, a deep mid-brown silt/clay

colluvium of an average depth of 0.30m. This in turn was overlain by subsoil 101,

comprising dark brown silt/clay, which was 0.24m in depth. The overlying topsoil 100

consisted of brown clay/silt up to 0.19m in depth. A pit, 108, was identified sealed by

the colluvium; it was oval in plan measuring 1m long by 0.97m wide and 0.64m

deep. The fills comprised primary fill 106, a yellow/brown flint/silt/clay, 0.37m in

depth overlain by secondary fill 105, grey/yellow/brown clay silt 0.27m in depth.

Several worked and burnt flints were recovered from fill 106 and a flake from 105.

Sherds of prehistoric and Iron Age/Romano-British pottery, worked flint and oyster

shells were also recovered from the subsoil, 101.


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2.3 Trench 5 was orientated north-east/south-west measuring 30m in length with a

maximum depth of 0.64m at its southern extent. The natural encountered in the

trench (503) comprised a mid-yellow/brown flint/silt/clay matrix and was sealed by

subsoil 502, a mid-yellow/brown silt/clay 0.27m thick. The subsoil was sealed by a

mixture of topsoil (500), which comprised brown clay/silt up to 0.10m in depth and a

modern tarmac surface bedded upon an aggregate sub-base, 501, up to 0.27m in

depth. This trench was located north-east of an enclosure ditch identified in the 2012

evaluation (AC 2012). A continuation from the enclosure appeared to extend north

towards trench 5. Two features were identified but neither are the ditch.

2.4 Two undated pits were identified and recorded within the trench. An oval shaped pit,

504, measured 1.04m in length and 0.95m in wide. The pit was 0.20m deep and

filled with grey/brown clay/silt (505). Another oval shaped pit, 506, which extended

beyond the trench to the north, measured at least 2.20m in length and 1.05m wide.

The pit was 0.50m deep and was filled with 507, a primary fill of red/brown silt/clay,

(with occasional charcoal flecks) that appears to have resulted from in situ

scorching. The fill was up to 0.17m deep. The overlying secondary fill, 508,

comprised dark grey/brown silt/clay, 0.19m in depth, which in turn was sealed by

tertiary fill, 509, a brown silt/clay 0.14m in depth. An area of disturbed natural/

trample up to 0.10m in depth was observed immediately to the east of feature 510.


2.5 Trench 6 was orientated north-west/south-east measuring 15m in length and a

maximum 0.40m at the southern extent. Natural (602), comprised yellow/brown

silt/clay with gravel and flint inclusions and was overlain by subsoil 603, composed

of a brown clay/silt, 0.25m in depth. The subsoil was sealed by a mixture of topsoil

600, (brown clay/silt up to 0.10m in depth) and a layer of crushed modern demolition

rubble 601, up to 0.15m in depth. A single ditch, 606, was recorded, orientated

north-south and measuring in excess of 2.30m in length by 0.65m wide and 0.23m

deep. This undated feature was filled with dark brown silt/clay (605).


8



2.6 Trench 9 orientated north-south measured 15m in length with a maximum depth of

0.52m. Natural 902, comprised yellow/brown silt/clay with flints and was overlain by

subsoil 901, a brown clay/silt of 0.25m in depth. The overlying topsoil (900)

consisted of brown clay/silt up to 0.08m thick. A single pit (903) extended eastwards

beyond the limits of the trench and measured at least 1.45m in length by 0.75m wide

and 0.6m deep. No finds to date the pit were recovered from either of the fills;

primary fill 904 comprised yellow/brown silt/clay 0.16m in depth, overlain by

secondary fill, 905, a grey brown clay/silt up to 0.54m deep.


2.7 Trench 10 was orientated north-west/south-east and measured 15m in length and

had a maximum depth of 0.50m. Natural (1001) comprised yellow/brown silt/clay

with flint gravel overlain by, a compacted layer of crushed modern demolition rubble

(1000), 0.40m in depth. Several areas of modern services and footings were noted

in addition to a probable prehistoric pit (1002), which extended beyond the limits of

the trench to the east and was partially truncated to the west. The large, irregular

shaped pit, measured at least 2.93m in length by approximately 1.80m in wide and a

maximum 0.90m deep, the primary fill of which was a loose grey brown silt/clay with

common flint inclusions (1004), 0.34m in depth. This was sealed by secondary fill

1003, which comprised grey/brown clay/silt, 0.61m thick. Occasional charcoal flecks

were noted in the later fill. Two flint flakes were recovered from 1003.

The finds evidence

2.8 Finds recovered from the evaluation included pottery and worked flint.

Pottery: Early prehistoric


9


Two small, unfeatured bodysherds in a coarse, flint-tempered fabric were recovered

from subsoil 101. Inclusion type and size, along with firing characteristics, are

suggestive of an Early Prehistoric (Neolithic to Middle Bronze Age) date.

Iron Age/Early Roman

Subsoil 101 produced an unfeatured bodysherd in a black-firing, quartz sand-

tempered fabric which is likely to be of Iron Age or Early Roman (late 1st to 2nd

century) date.

Worked flint

A total of 21 worked flint items was recorded in nine deposits, in addition to five

pieces of burnt, unworked flint, weighing 126g, from two deposits. The lithics

comprised two cores and 19 flakes.

More than half of the flints (52%) were recovered from topsoil or subsoil deposits.

The remainder were from pit fills 105, 106 and 1003. The cores from pit fill 106 had

both been unsystematically worked: each had two platforms from which single flakes

had been removed. These features suggest that a Bronze Age date is most likely

(Butler 2005, 181). Several of the flakes from the site were relatively large and thick,

which is also suggestive of a probable Bronze Age date for at least a proportion of

the material.

Table 1: Finds concordance

Context Description Count Weight(g) Spot-date

100 Worked flint: flake 3 37 -

101 Early prehistoric pottery: coarse, flint-tempered fabric 2 3 Neo / EBA Iron Age/Early Roman pottery: black-firing, sand-tempered

fabric 1 2 IA/Early RB

Worked flint: flake 3 35 Shell 9 64


106 Worked flint: flakes, cores 7 577 - Burnt flint 1 0.4



400 Worked flint: flake 1 10 - Burnt flint 4 126



3. DISSCUSSION


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3.1 An earlier evaluation (AC 2012) which focussed mainly on the former playing field (in

the eastern half of the site recorded a significant assemblage of Late Neolithic/Early

Bronze Age pottery and flints, largely associated with a boundary ditch running

along the crest of a hill. The current evaluation revisited the former school playing

field in addition to areas previously occupied by the recently demolished school

buildings.

3.2 Trench 1 located down the slope of the previously identified boundary ditch

contained a deep colluvium horizon, at the edge of which was a prehistoric pit which

contained a number of worked flints. Deep within the colluvium at the southernmost

part of Trench 1 an undated ditch was identified within a hand excavated test pit,

the depth of the trench at this point precluded further excavation but based on its

form, the ditch is considered to be most likely of prehistoric date. Trench 1 also

included a quantity of worked flints and pottery attributable to the early prehistoric

(Neolithic to the Middle Bronze Age) in addition to a sherd of Late Iron Age/early

Romano-British pottery. A spread of oyster shells (indicative of occupation) was also

noted.

3.3 Trenches 2 - 4 also located down slope of the previously identified boundary ditch

did not reveal further features, although a small quantity of worked and burnt flint

was recovered from the overburden of the excavated trenches.

3.4 Trenches 5, 6, 8 and 9 located on higher ground towards the north of the Site

largely escaped truncation from the former school buildings and yard surfaces. Two

undated pits were recorded in Trench 5, one with evidence of in situ scorching. In

Trench 6 an undated gully and a probable prehistoric pit were recorded. Worked

flint was recovered from the topsoil in Trench 9, and several possible tree throws

were recorded in Trench 8.

3.5 In Trench 7, considerable modern disturbance of varying depth was recorded.

3.6 A large deep pit of probable prehistoric date contained worked flint in Trench 10 did

survive with minor disturbance from footings along one edge.

3.7 From the evidence of the evaluation trenches it is certain the site contains areas of

archaeology of prehistoric date that have survived the construction and subsequent


11


demolition of the former Milldown School buildings. The dates appear to centre on

Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age occupation with later Late Iron Age Early Romano-

British pottery also represented in the finds assemblage. The well dated Late

Neolithic activity identified in the earlier evaluation (ACT2, ACT6 and ACT5; Figure

2) was not traced any further during the current evaluation, suggesting that this

activity is very much focussed at the western extent of the former playing field. The

activity identified in Trench 1 in the south-east corner of the Site, is likely to be of

Late Iron Age/early Romano British date and again this activity is tightly focussed in

that part of the Site. The activity identified on the higher ground, largely centred on

Trenches 5, 6, 8 and 9, is likely to be prehistoric, but cannot be more closely dated

at this stage. It is likely that further mitigation will be required but closely focussed on

those trenches from both phases of evaluation where potential has been identified.

Since the archaeological potential does not represent dense settlement activity, it is

considered likely, that any such mitigation could be completed over a relatively short

period.

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Joe Whelan, assisted by Steve Bush and Tom Hacket.

The report was written by Joe Whelan. The finds report was written by Jacky

Sommerville. The illustrations were prepared by Leo Heatley. The archive has been

compiled by Joe Whelan, and prepared for deposition by Andy Donald. The project

was managed for CA by Richard Greatorex.

5. REFERENCES

AC (AC archaeology) 2012 Proposed Housing Development at Former Milldown School

Blandford Dorset Report ACW461/1/1/0

Butler, C. 2005 Prehistoric Flintwork. Stroud. Tempus.

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2014 Former Milldown School Blandford Forum Dorset:

Written Scheme of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief


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APPENDIX A: CONTEXT DESCRIPTION

Trench

No.

Context

No.

Type Fill of Context

interpretation

Description L

(m)

W

(m)

Depth/

thickness

(m)

Spot-

date

01 100 Layer Topsoil Dark brown clayey silt 30 1.90 0-0.19

01 101 Layer Subsoil Dark brown silty clay 30 1.90 0.19-0.35

01 102 Layer Natural Mid brown silty clay colluvium 30 1.90 0.35-0.61

01 103 Layer Natural Yellow brown silty clay 14 1.90

01 104 Layer Natural Chalk with Clay striations 30 1.90

01 105 Fill 108 Pit fill Grey brown silty clay 01 0.97 0.27

01 106 Fill 108 Pit fill Yellowy brown silty Clay 01 0.97 0.37

01 107 Natural Dark brown silty clay

01 108 Cut Pit Oval pit 01 0.97 0.69

01 109 Layer Colluvium Grey yellowy brown silty clay 01+ 1.90 0.61 -1.20

01 110 Fill 112 Ditch fill Yellow brown silty clay 1.25 0.70 1.04-1.36


01 112 Cut Ditch 1.25 0.70 1.04-1.36

01 113 Fill 112 Ditch fill Yellow brown silty clay 1.25 0.70 1.04-1.36


01 115 Cut Same as 112

01 116 Layer Colluvium Grey yellowy brown silty clay 1.30 -1.50


02 201 Layer Natural Yellow brown silty clay 30 1.90 0.24+

03 300 Layer Topsoil Dark brown clayey silt 16.0 1.90 0-0.17

03 301 Layer Natural Yellow brown silty clay 16.0 1.90 0.17+


04 401 Layer Natural Chalk with Clay striations 23 1.90 0.20+

05 500 Layer Topsoil Brown clayey silt 30 1.90 0-0.10

05 501 Surface Modern Tarmac / aggregates 0 – 0.27

05 502 Layer Subsoil Yellowy brown silty clay 30 1.90 0.10-0.37

05 503 Layer Natural Yellowy brown silty flinty clay 30 1.90 0.37+

05 504 Cut Pit 1.04 0.95 0.40

05 505 Fill 504 Pit fill Grey brown silty clay 1.04 0.95 0.40

05 506 Cut Sub-rectangular pit 2.2 1.05 0.5

05 507 Fill 506 Pit fill Reddish brown silty clay 0.55 0.15 0.17

05 508 Fill 506 Pit fill Dark grey brown silty clay 1.05 0.77 0.19

05 509 Fill 506 Pit fill Brown silty clay 2.12 1.41 0.14

05 510 Layer 506 Trample Grey brown silty clay 0.80 0.73 0.16

06 600 Layer Topsoil Dark brown clayey silt 15 1.90 0.10

06 601 Layer Modern Crushed demolition rubble 15 1.90 0 0.15


06 603 Layer Subsoil Yellowy brown silty clay 15 1.90 0.15-0.35

06 604 Layer Natural Yellow brown clay / flint gravels

06 605 Fill 606 Ditch fill Brown silty clay 2.30+ 0.65 0.23

06 606 Cut Ditch Linear 2.30+ 0.65 0.23

07 700 Layer Modern Crushed demolition rubble 35 1.90 0.65


08 800 Layer Modern Crushed demolition rubble 17 1.90 0-0.25


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08 801 Layer Subsoil Brown clayey silt 17 1.90 0.25-0.40

08 802 Layer Natural Yellow brown clay / flint gravels 17 1.90 0.40+

09 900 Layer Topsoil Brown clayey silt 15 1.90 0-0.08

09 901 Layer Subsoil Brown silty clay 15 1.90 0.08-0.33


09 903 Cut Pit cut Oval pit 1.45 0.75 0.60

09 904 Fill 903 Pit fill Yellowy brown silty clay 0.65 0.75 0.16

09 905 Fill 903 Pit fill Greyish Yellowy brown silty clay 1.24 0.75 0.54


10 1001 Layer Natural Yellow brown silty clay 15 1.99

0

0.40+

10 1002 Cut Pit cut Sub-rectangular pit 2.93 1.80 0.90

10 1003 Fill 1002 Pit fill Grey brown clayey silt 2.04 0.72 0.61

10 1004 Fill 1002 Pit fill Grey brown silty clay 0.90 0.72 0.34




12 1201 Layer Natural Yellowy brown silty clay 29 1.90 0.75+

13 Not excavated

13 Not excavated


14 1401 Layer Buried Topsoil Brown clayey silt 10 1.90 0.20-0.38



14


Appendix B: The finds evidence

Finds recovered from evaluation included pottery and worked flint.

Pottery: Early prehistoric

Two small, unfeatured bodysherds in a coarse, flint-tempered fabric were recovered

from subsoil 101. Inclusion type and size, along with firing characteristics, are

suggestive of an Early Prehistoric (Neolithic to Middle Bronze Age) date.

Iron Age/Early Roman

Subsoil 101 produced an unfeatured bodysherd in a black-firing, quartz sand-

tempered fabric which is likely to be of Iron Age or Early Roman (late 1st to 2nd

century) date.

Worked flint

A total of 21 worked flint items was recorded in nine deposits, in addition to five

pieces of burnt, unworked flint, weighing 126g, from two deposits. The lithics

comprised two cores and 19 flakes.

More than half of the flints (52%) were recovered from topsoil or subsoil deposits.

The remainder were from pit fills 105, 106 and 1003. The cores from pit fill 106 had

both been unsystematically worked: each had two platforms from which single flakes

had been removed. These features suggest that a Bronze Age date is most likely

(Butler 2005, 181). Several of the flakes from the site were relatively large and thick,

which is also suggestive of a probable Bronze Age date for at least a proportion of

the material.

Table 1: Finds concordance

Context Description Count Weight(g) Spot-date


101 Early prehistoric pottery: coarse, flint-tempered fabric 2 3 Neo / EBA Iron Age/Early Roman pottery: black-firing, sand-tempered

fabric 1 2 IA/Early RB

Worked flint: flake 3 35 Shell 9 64


106 Worked flint: flakes, cores 7 577 - Burnt flint 1 0.4



400 Worked flint: flake 1 10 - Burnt flint 4 126




15


APPENDIX C: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name Former Milldown School, Blandford Forum, Dorset

Short description (250 words maximum)

In November 2014 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an

archaeological evaluation for Bellway Homes Ltd at the former

Milldown School, Blandford Forum (centred on NGR: 388303

107385)

Twelve trenches were excavated revealing prehistoric occupation

of the site in the form of pits and ditches which included pottery

dating to the early prehistoric (Neolithic / Middle Bronze Age) and

worked and burnt flints of a probable Bronze Age date.

Project dates 24 – 28 November 2014

Project type

Field Evaluation

Previous work

Earlier Eval by AC archaeology in 2012 revealed Neolithic /Bronze Age pottery, flints and a fired clay object from a boundary ditch Field evaluation (ACW461 2012)

Future work Unknown

PROJECT LOCATION

Site Location Mill Down Rd Blandford Dorset DT11 7SH

Study area (M2/ha)

Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) NGR: 388303 107385

PROJECT CREATORS

Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology

Project Brief originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Design (WSI) originator Cotswold Archaeology

Project Manager Richard Greatorex

Project Supervisor Joe Whelan

MONUMENT TYPE None

SIGNIFICANT FINDS Prehistoric pottery and flints

PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive (museum/Accession no.)

Content (e.g. pottery, animal bone etc)

Physical Pot, Flint, Shell

Paper Trench & context sheets

Digital Digital photos

BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2014 Former Milldown School Blandford Forum Dorset Evaluation Report Dec 2014

Dorset

WILTSHIRECotswoldArchaeology

N

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.DATEREVISIONSCALE@A4

PROJECT NO.DRAWN BYAPPROVED BY

0 1km

Reproduced from the 2014 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109

c

18-12-2014001:25,000 1

Former Milldown School, Blandford ForumDorset

Site location plan

Cirencester 01285 771022

Milton Keynes 01908 564660

Andover 01264 347630

w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk

e [email protected]

770158LJHJB

CotswoldArchaeology



Andover 01264 347630


e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



0 1m17/12/2014001:20

770158LJHJB 3


Trench 1: sections and photograph

AAPit 108, looking south-west (1m scale)

105

106pit

108

55.5mAOD

S N

Section AA

103

109

110

ditch112

103

116

109

102

101

100

54.5mAOD

E N

Section BB

WW SS

CotswoldArchaeology



Andover 01264 347630


e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



0 1m17/12/2014001:20

770158LJHJB 4


Trench 5: sections and photograph

AAPit 506, looking north-west (1m scale)

pit504

505503

61.0mAOD

NE SW

Section CC

pit506

507

508

509

501

502

510

503

60.5mAOD

SW NE

Section DD

CotswoldArchaeology

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE



18/12/2014001:20 5


Trenches 6, 9 and 10: sections and photograph



Andover 01264 347630


e [email protected]

770158LJHJB

0 1m

ditch606

605 natural 602

60.7mAOD

W E

Section EE

AAPit 1002, looking east (1m scale)

900

901

905

904

pit903

natural 902

62.0mAOD

N S

Section FF

pit1002

1003

1004

natural 1001

59.5mAOD

W E

Section GG

Date post:	02-Sep-2020
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Former Milldown School, Blandford Forum, Dorset · 2015. 4. 13. · 1200 series GPS and all...

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