SDO15187 - New Quarry, Sea Spray Field, Acton, Langton Matravers, Purbeck, Dorset. Archaeological Observations and Recording

‘An archaeological watching brief was carried out by Terrain Archaeology during topsoil stripping for a new quarry in Sea Spray Field to the south of Acton near Langton Matravers, Purbeck, Dorset (SY992777). No archaeological features other than stone-filled field drains of probable 18th-19th century date were revealed. However, a significant quantity of worked flint and late Iron Age/Roman pottery was found in the topsoil. The character of the flint assemblage suggests a late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age date. It is unclear whether the Late Iron Age/Roman pottery scatter represents the remains of some activity that has left no below-ground archaeological trace, or whether the focus of the site lies just beyond the area of the watching brief. The limited evidence from the pottery suggests that it may be contemporary with the industrial and settlement site found at Blacklands, just to the west of the present site.’