SWX8577 - Land Off Reap Lane, Sweethill, Southwell, Portland, Dorset: Archaeological Evaluation

An archaeological evaluation comprising test-pitting, surface collection and machine-trenching was carried out on a 4.6 ha site in a shallow coombe in Southwell, Portland. A general scatter of finds dating from the Mesolithic to the Iron Age found across the whole of the site. However, the southern half of the site was shown to be largely devoid of surviving archaeology but significant remains were found in the northern half, buried below a layer of colluvium of probable late prehistoric date. A hearth was found associated with a concentration of flint and chert of Early Neolithic data and a single scrap of Early Neolithic pottery. The well-preserved remains of a round house with a stone wall and cobbled floor was discovered at the bottom of the coombe. No dating evidence was recovered but is of later prehistoric (Iron Age?) character. Two further areas of in situ archaeological deposits and a concentration of flint and chert were found along the bottom of the coombe. Very little Roman or medieval material was noted. Four surviving lawnshed earthworks were investigated.