EDO6420 - Old Ham Lane, Little Canford, Poole; geophysical survey 2012

Geophysical survey carried out in 2012 as part of a wider assessment of a proposed development site. Three areas south of Ham Lane and close to the river Stour were surveyed. No anomalies of clear archaeological origin were recorded. There may possibly have been deeply buried ferrous debris and small-scale industrial activity but there were few corroborative features. Two buried drains were suggested of different construction and possible former land divisions predating OS mapping. No anomalies of clear archaeological origin were recorded, and the data set was dominated by naturally-derived anomalies. Possible evidence for anthropogenic activity could be seen in the southern part of Area 1, and were interpreted as potentially indicating former land divisions. It was thought that isolated strong responses in Area 1 might indicate small-scale industrial activity, but there was no indication of associated enclosures or settlement activity, and it was thought more likely that these were natural pockets of enhanced material. The line of a drain was seen in Area 1, and a second linear anomaly in similar orientation to the east; this latter feature was interpreted as a drain of different construction, and which might possibly at one time have been open. The data suggested a change in agricultural processes on either side of this feature.