SDO15354 - Archaeological Watching Brief Report: Portland Academy, Southwell, Dorset

'Allen Archaeology Limited was commissioned by Wates Construction Limited to undertake a programme of archaeological monitoring and recording during geotechnical works and groundworks for construction of a new sports hall and attenuation tank. The site is located at Southwell Business Park in Portland, Dorset and lies in area of archaeological potential with evidence for both prehistoric and Roman activity in the area. Medieval lawnshed earthworks have previously been identified on the site. The site was landscaped during the construction of a now disused naval base, resulting in potentially significant truncation of archaeological deposits. The excavation of a number of geotechnical pits and groundworks for the development were monitored between 2014 and 2015 and revealed a sequence of natural layers, partly disturbed by landscaping during construction of the naval base after World War Two, and overlain by modern topsoil. The archaeological impact of the monitored works appears to be insignificant. The site has been heavily truncated, no archaeological features were recorded and the only finds were a collection of worked flint fragments that were recovered from topsoil and subsoil layers.'