SDO11473 - Gillingham Relief Road, Dorset; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society

Evaluation work on the line of the Gillingham relief road was continued in 1990. Earthworks in Chantry Fields to the south of the River Stour had been identified by P. W. Cox. Small scale evaluation work suggested that these were early medieval in date and indicated possible industrial activity; one trench revealed a stone building footing. In view of the potential importance of the site, further excavation, commissioned by Dorset County Council, was carried out in November and December 1990. An earthwork survey was carried out by the Slisbury office of the RCHME. The earthworks comprise a series of intersecting linear features defining raised platforms. One platform seems to contain stone buildings and another the remains of two ovens of early medieval date, tentatively interpreted as iron ore roasting ovens.