EDO5915 - Grimstone Reservoir, Stratton; excavation and monitoring and recording 2012-2013

An archaeological excavation and subsequent monitoring and recording were carried out on behalf of Wessex Water plc during the installation of a compound and extended operational area. An area measuring 1,490msq situated to the east of the existing reservoir was excavated by a back-hoe with 1.6m toothless bucket followed by metal detector survey and manual excavation. Monitoring and recording was carried out during the excavation by Wessex Water of test pits. 74 archaeological features were identified during the two phases of excavation. 48 could be attributed to the Middle Iron Age, Middle to Late Iron Age, Late Iron Age to Early Romano-British and Romano-British. These included pits, a rectilinear enclosure in the west arrea of the site, pottery, post holes, possible kilns, fired clay, ceramic building material, flint, animal bone, slag and worked stone. There was a concentration of features from the Middle Iron Age such as pits and postholes predominantly associated with a round house. There was evidence of re-cutting and re-organisation of ditches indicating the re-planning of the enclosure across the periods noted above. One pit only represented Romano-British activity. Evidence of continuous activity from the Middle Iron Age to the Late Iron Age/Early Romano-British period was revealed. There were zones of activity including a possible ceremonial area , domestic area and farm providing a connection to nearby extensive field systems.