EDO6448 - Land off Broadwindsor Road, Beaminster; geophysical survey

The survey was commissioned by AC Archaeology as part of wider works being undertaken in connection with proposed development. The area of the site selected for survey was approximately 4.58ha, of which 4.04ha was surveyed. A magnetometer survey was conducted using a Bartington Grad601-2 dual fluxgate gradiometer. A number of anomalies were detected, the clearest being in the southwest corner of the field where two north-south aligned mirrored curving ditches were found. These were crossed by several east-west aligned ditches and one northwest-southeast aligned ditch. There were further ditches and possible pits close to known agricultural features. These features were defined as either possible or definite archaeology. Ceramic field drains were also found in the southeast corner of the site. The features related to agriculture showed that the area had been used for agriculture since the post-medieval at least. The curving ditches were found to be of high archaeological potential.