SDO14271 - Chard Junction Quarry Extension, Thorncombe, Dorset: Topsoil Magnetic Susceptibility and Gradiometer Survey

Magnetic survey has located two areas with archaeological potential. A small enclosure, which on morphological grounds appears to relate to a settlement site of later prehistoric or Romano-British date, lies within the northwest angle of the north field. There is a suggestion of an internal structure, probably circular, and a number of pits are also present. Some of the local ferrous debris may possibly be contemporary with the enclosure. A small localised area of burning/burnt structure associated with what may be an industrial activity zone lies 150 m southeast of the enclosure, within the eastern field; they are not necessarily contemporary. Within the western field, present evidence does not suggest that archaeological activity continues extensively beyond the areas already identified, although in the eastern field only the strongest magnetic focus has been targeted by gradiometry.