In the first field an area approximately 250m x 150m was stripped of topsoil to a depth of between 0.2 - 0.3m, exposing the upper levels of gravelly subsoil. Bulldozers and mechanical toothed-bucket excavators were used, which were excellent for the bulk removal of the overburden but were not much good for revealing the archaeology! After all it was a gravel quarry.
Despite the less-than perfect conditions, the stripped area was field walked for finds and three archaeological features were discovered on the first morning. They were all similar and consisted of circular, bowl-shaped spreads of charcoal about 0.15m deep.
Prehistoric worked flints were found within the charcoal fills. Bearing in mind the fact that the Archaeological Assessment had stated that 'the potential of this site was low', alarm bells began to ring - if there was good archaeology on the first morning, goodness knows what lay undisturbed on the rest of the site. By the end of the three-week excavation, 23 charcoal-filled pits had been recorded as well as several pits containing large deposits of East Dorset 'Verwood' 17th century pottery.
While the excavating was taking place, local metal detectorists Ken Wheatley and John Hunter had been systematically combing the site and had retrieved a good selection of metalwork including coins, tokens, buttons, buckles, horse furniture etc.
The results of the fieldwork were written up and presented to the company. A slim report discussed the features and finds. It was thought that the charcoal-filled pits might have been associated with prehistoric land clearance. Two sherds of Roman 'black-burnished ware' pottery hinted at a Roman presence. The dumps of late-17th century pottery, one of them substantial, together with bone and shell were however a puzzle. The metalwork confirmed activity from the 17th century to modern times.
By this time it was apparent that the Bestwall Quarry site was producing quality archaeology and the company agreed to provide an archaeological consultant. Peter Cox, of AC Archaeology, agreed to advise on all aspects of the work. He had worked widely in Dorset (and continues to do so) and brought professional expertise to the project. His first recommendation was that the next season's topsoil stripping should be by a flat-bed, back-acting excavator, this would ensure a flat surface where the archaeological features would (hopefully) be exposed.
Those involved :