SDO11401 - Milton Abbey School, Blandford Forum, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation Report

Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by Philip Proctor Associates, on behalf of the Milton Abbey School, Blandford Forum to undertake an archaeological evaluation of areas adjacent to an existing Headmaster's house which are the proposed locations for two new residential blocks for the school. The Headmaster's house is located in the northern end of the Deserted town of Milton Abbas scheduled monument (Dorset 716) centred on National Grid Reference 380000 102230. The evaluation was requested by English Heritage in order to determine whether the proposed development would disturb archaeological deposits associated with the deserted town. A decision would then be taken as to whether the development could take place and whether further archaeological mitigation would be required. The proposed dormitory accommodation comprised two two-storey blocks, one on either side of the Headmaster's house. The northern block would cover a 15m by 10m area and the southern a curving area measuring 20m by 8m. Both blocks were to be partially cut into sloping ground. The topography of the northern area was not conductive to the operation of machinery and was therefore evaluated by coring to a depth of two metres. Eight cores were drilled and appeared to show a simple sequence of modern topsoil underlain by natural chalk; there was no indication of any earlier garden soils or archaeological layers. The southern area was evaluated with a machine-dug trench curving along the middle of the proposed building. This showed extensive earthmoving of both modern and probable 18th century date. A probable modern ditch or trench was revealed but no structural remains were encountered. The natural chalk was reached at a depth of 2.0m and the sequence noted in the excavation trench was corroborated by four additional core samples. Overall, the evaluation results do not suggest that there are any significant archaeological or historical structures, features or deposits within the areas of the proposed dormitory blocks. Rather, the results indicate that the only deposits likely to be affected relate to garden soils associated with the old town and the landscaping that accompanied and followed its removal. It is suggested that the impact on these deposits could be adequately mitigated during development works using the information on the soil sequence and levels gained from the evaluation.