SDO11536 - Land East of Shaftesbury, Dorset. Magnetometer (gradiometer) Survey

A geophysical evaluation programme comprising magnetometer (gradiometer) survey supplemented by limited topsoil magnetic susceptibility measurements was carried out on c.6 ha of land on the eastern outskirts of Shaftesbury, Dorset (centred on ST 8745 2320) in advance of proposed housing devleopment. Topsoil magnetic susceptibility levels proved ectremely low, which has significantly influenced the magnetometer (gradiometer) response. Some extremely strong magnetic anomalies were identified, which were associated with the probable inclusion of ferrous material/clinker/burnt material, and localised spreading of what appears to be relatively recent debris. Otherwise, the magnetometer (gradiometer) recorded only extremely weak and ephemeral traces of earlier activity, including a pattern of ridge and furrow cultivation, weak linears and two curvilinear elements, which are of unknown significance.