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Summary

Geophysical survey recorded a number weak anomalies on a northnorthwest-southsoutheast axis and a single linear running across the centre of this area on a westnorthwest-eastsoutheast alignment. Several other weak linears recorded on a variety of alignments are fleeting and may be no more than agricultural scars.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• ARCHAEOLOGICAL FEATURE (Roman to Late Medieval - 43 AD? to 1539 AD? (Between))

Full description

Oxford Archaeotechnics Ltd, 2002, Land East of Woodbury Farm, Axminster: Geophysical Survey (Report - Geophysical Survey). SDV131836.

A geophysical survey comprising magnetometer survey was carried out on circa 3.8 ha of land east of Woodbury Farm, on the Southern outskirts of Axminster in advance of a proposed playing field development.

The survey area lies immediately east of an earthwork enclosure thought to be the site of an early Roman Fort with later Roman occupation within it characterised by stone buildings, which may represent a posting station (mansio). Previous geophysical survey and archaeological investigation has further identified extra-mural development alongside the Roman road from Dorchester to Exeter to the west of the defensive enclosure, which is a scheduled ancient monument.

The survey recorded a number of weak anomalies on a northnorthwest-southsoutheast axis and a single linear running across the centre of this area on a westnorthwest-eastsoutheast alignment, which is visible for a distance of some 100 metres; at least two of the grouping of linears change direction on either side of this feature, suggesting some contemporaneity. Several other weak linears recorded on a variety of alignments are fleeting and may be no more than agricultural scars.

North of the double linear (MDV124572), isolated pits and hollows are also present. A modern ferrous farm water pipe follows the line of a former hedgeline in this area.

There is a general litter of ferrous material across the whole of th survey area, higher than would be anticipated in an average Devon pasture field, and more typical of an intensively cultivated arable field on an urban fringe. In this context the principal source of this ferrous signal probably has a more ancient origin.

The significance of the orthogonal patterning of weak linears visible over the survey area is not entirely clear, although they can be broadly considered as a group some of whose elements have been reinforced magnetically by the input of highly magnetically susceptible material suggesting that they may have been ditches or gullies which were still open to capture dispersed deposits derived from the focus of industrial activity on the west side of the survey area.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV926 - Geophysical Survey of Land East of Woodbury Farm, Axminster (Ref: 2631102/AXD/EXA)

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