SDO13373 - Curtis Fields, Land South of Chickerell Road, Weymouth, Dorset. An Archaeological Geophysical Survey and Field Evaluation

Context One Archaeological SerVices Ltd (COAS) carried out an Archaeological Field Evaluation comprising geophysical survey and trial trenching at Curtis Fields, on land to the south of Chickerell Road, Weymouth, Dorset (NGR SY 66158 78742) over 12 days in January and February 2013, following a desk-based assessment. The fieldwork included a geophysical survey undertaken by GeoFlo South West Geophysical and Flotation Services and was preceded by a walk-over to assess conditions on site. The investigation was commissioned by Western Design Architects and was funded by Betterment Properties (Weymouth) Ltd. The evaluation produced mixed results. Specific possible features identified during the desk-based assessment were not confirmed, with the exception of a hollow way which probably corresponds with a post medieval or earlier route linked to the extant Cockle Lane. The exceptionally difficult ground conditions frustrated attempts to investigate some of the geophysical anomalies. On the other hand, the discovery of two off-chalk flint scatters deposited within a narrow time-frame is of some importance. They may be contemporary and are indicative of the exploitation of a very particular wet valley-bottom ecological niche. This combination of restricted time and space is rare in British archaeology of the period and warrants further investigation as it has the potential to shed light on porrly understood aspects of later Neolithic subsistence.