SDO15325 - East Chickerell, Weymouth, Dorset. Detailed Gradiometer Survey Report

‘This report presents the results from a geophysical survey undertaken by Wessex Archaeology on land east of Chickerell, Weymouth Dorset, centred on National Grid Reference 365145, 80660. The survey was commission by Pegasus Planning Ltd Cirencester on behalf of OM Holidays Ltd – Weymouth. The survey area comprises 22ha over ten arable fields. A desk-based assessment was undertaken by Wessex Archaeology in 2010 covering the survey area covered in this report plus land further east which concluded that there is low to moderate potential for recovering remains relating to Romano-British, medieval or post-medieval activity within the Site. The detailed gradiometer survey was a continuation of this work. The survey was undertaken between 20th April 2015 and 24th April 2015. Field conditions at the time of the survey were good with grass under foot and favourable weather. The detailed gradiometer survey has been successful in revealing several anomalies of definite, probable and possible archaeological origin alongside trends, services and unidentified ferrous responses. The survey data from the northernmost field reveals a number of features of potential archaeological interest, including two parallel ditch-like features, several possible archaeological features and an old field boundary alongside a possible palaeochannel and agricultural features. Evidence of an early 19th century lime kiln has been identified within the data alongside possible archaeological features and trends. Across the rest of the site are several other possible archaeological features and four modern services.’