Amberslade Bottom and Broomy Inclosure, Linwood, New Forest, Hampshire

Oxford Archaeology South (OAS) was commissioned by The Forestry Commission to
undertake an archaeological watching brief at Amberslade Bottom and Broomy
Inclosure, Linwood, in the New Forest (centred on SU 20041 11189). The work was
carried out as part of the planning application for the Wetlands Restoration Project. The
work was undertaken over two days on the 1st and 8th June 2015.
During the restoration of meanders through the Inclosure the works slightly impacted
upon three sites, two old ford / stream crossings OA 13 and OA 24, and the Inclosure
bank itself OA 12.
The works revealed the nature of the Inclosure bank and ditch arrangement. The bank
was created by the excavation and extraction of the material from the ditch. The
material was dumped on the internal, southern side of the ditch.
The digging of the ditch and the dumping meant that the deposits were buried in
reverse order. There is evidence of the original ground surface being left in place and
the soils and subsoils were then dug and dumped to form the deposits of the bank.
The bank was probably left at that point. Subsequent time has allowed the formation
of thin soil and turf over the bank. The organic matter at the base of the bank has also
had time to decompose in-situ.
The resulting ditch and bank, with any associated vegetational growth or additional
fencing has formed an effective boundary within the landscape.
The mounds of the old stream crossing points were constructed of accumulated
material of a nature identical to the subsoils.
During the works no previously unknown archaeological sites and finds were
encountered, nor were any identified that might have been exposed by works
incorporating the wider scheme