Later Prehistoric and Romano-British occupation at Townsend farm, Poyntington. Geophysical survey and evaluation 2010-11

Geophysical survey and trial excavations were carried out on two fields, Hanglands and Fairmile, at Townsend Farm, Poyntington, Dorset. Gradiometry was carried out across the entirely of Hanglands. Despite having been seriously affected by ploughing it produced evidence of linear cut features and included curvilinear anomalies possibly representing roundhouses. Three evaluation trenches were positioned with the aim of characterising the geophysical anomalies, understanding the quality, preservation, and gaining some chronological understanding. Despite considerable truncation by ploughing, an enclosure ditch and a curvilinear gully of later prehistoric date were identified as well as an undated terrace along the break in slope on the eastern side of the field, which could be Romano-British or medieval. Gradiometry over a small area at the north end of Fairmile, identified anomalies on a rectilinear alignment where Romano-British pottery had been recovered from the surface, including a South East Dorset Orange Wiped Ware sherd of the late 4th-early 5th century AD. The anomalies are suggestive of a substantial Romano-British building and associated features. The limited investigations have demonstrated an area of later Iron Age occupation adjacent to what appears to be a a previously unrecorded villa.