Gatehouse Farm, Dawlish, Teignbridge, Devon. Detailed Gradiometer Survey (OASIS ID: wessexar1-214887)
Wessex Archaeology, 2017. https://doi.org/10.5284/1047620. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © Wessex Archaeology unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.
Primary contact
Wessex Archaeology
Portway House
Old Sarum Park
Salisbury
SP4 6EB
UK
Tel: 01722 326867
Fax: 01722 337562
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 2790
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1047620
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
A detailed gradiometer survey was conducted over land at Gatehouse Farm, Dawlish, Teignbridge, Devon. The project was commissioned by Gatehouse Park Developments Ltd. with the aim of establishing the presence, or otherwise, and nature of detectable archaeological features on the site ahead of a proposed development.
The site comprises several arable and pasture fields to the north of Langdon Road, approximately 1.5km north of the centre of Dawlish and some 700m west of the A379. The site occupies the base of a low valley, sloping up towards the northwestern and southwestern extents. The gradiometer survey covered 14.9ha and has demonstrated the presence of anomalies of definite, probable and possible archaeological interest within the survey area, along with a region of increased magnetic response and a modern service.
Two probable partial enclosures were identified at the southwestern extent of the survey area, one rectangular and the other sub-circular. These are considered to be of definite archaeological interest.
A probable trackway extends NE-SW through the eastern fields and, whilst its southernmost extents are obscured by magnetic disturbance, it is likely that it extends across the site.
Numerous other linear and pit-like anomalies have been identified across the site. Whilst it is possible that some of these will be of some archaeological interest, others have been interpreted as such due to the uncertainty over their origins. It is possible for natural and agricultural processes to create similar magnetic anomalies, such as infilled hollows and tree throws.
Dense ploughing trends can be seen throughout the survey area, and in places there is the possibility that archaeological features have been truncated.
A modern service was detected parallel with the southern boundary near Langdon Lane.
Extensive magnetic disturbance is visible in the southeastern corner of the site, close to Gatehouse Farm, and numerous small-scale ferrous responses were seen throughout the dataset.
