SDO12484 - New Hamworthy First School, Ashmore Close, Hamworthy, Poole: Archaeological Survey, Observations, and Evaluation, March–April 2003

A geophysical survey followed by an archaeological evaluation and watching brief were undertaken immediately in advance of, and during the construction of the new Hamworthy First School, in the playing field adjacent to Hamworthy Middle School, Ashmore Close, Hamworthy (centred on NGR SY999903). The geophysical survey undertaken by Archaeophysica Ltd revealed a number of anomalies, most of which proved upon investigation to be the result of modern boundaries and drains and debris from landscaping of the area after the construction of the Middle School in the 1980s. The archaeological evaluation comprised four machine trenches around the site of the new school and the evidence from these was supplemented by observations during drainage works and road construction. Traces of three small ditches oriented NNE–SSW were encountered in the southern part of the site, together with one small ditch oriented NE–SW in the northern end of the site. None of these ditches were securely dated but all contained abraded Roman pottery and briquetage. They are probably part of the extensive Early Roman ditch system found on the adjacent Shapwick Road site. There were a few other undated features also discovered. Overall, the small number of features and the paucity of finds suggest that this area was not a focus of Roman activity on the Hamworthy peninsula.