EDO5608 - Land off Dorchester Road, Stratton; evaluation 1997

AC Archaeology carried out an archaeological field evaluation on land known as the ‘Western Area’, adjoining the south side of Dorchester Road, Stratton. This was due to a proposed residential development occurring on the site. The site itself covers approximately 3.5 hectares, of which an area of 677.25m² of trenches was excavated giving an approximate sample of 2% for the development area. 12 trenches and one trial pit were dug in total by means of a mechanical excavator equipped with a 1.5m wide toothless digging bucket. The dimensions of the trenches varied, ranging from 1m by 1.5m, to 94m by 1.5m. A total of 34 pieces of Prehistoric pottery were recovered from trench 4, in the fill of a truncated pit. These were mostly coarsewares of a sandy fabric, and coarsewares of largely flint tempering. 41 pieces of Romano-British pottery were recovered, weighing 738g. Thirty six of these pieces came from the same context (F312) in trench 3, and a considered to be of the same 2nd century AD Black Burnished Ware Jug. A single piece of medieval pottery was found, displaying no diagnostic attributes, and three pieces of post-medieval pottery, including two rim fragments from a probable pancheon. 107 pieces of worked flint were found from the evaluation. These are mostly broad flakes, and about 30% of them had been retouched. Two pieces show greater patination than their fellows, a blade core from the topsoil next to trench 8, and another from a pit in Trench 4. Other finds include 193 pieces of burnt flint, 24 pieces of animal bone, and single piece of tile. (Njo exact date given for groundworks).