EDO4210 - The Grove, Dorchester, Trench 1

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Location

Grid reference Centred SY 68861 90765 (21m by 1m)
Map sheet SY69SE
Civil Parish Dorchester; Dorset
Unitary Authority Dorset

Technique(s)

Organisation

Not recorded.

Date

1972

Description

The chalk and clay bank, on which the clubhouse of the Dorchester Tennis Club once stood (at SY68849076) was investigated. This appeared to consist of the cleaning up of a north-facing section. This revealed a bank about 27m wide, surviving almost two metres high, which appears to be the counterscarp bank of the Roman town defences. The eastern edge of the bank was not exposed and its relationship with the outer ditch of the defences was not investigated. The bank appears to comprise a core of clay over eight metres wide and 1.5m high, overlain by tips of chalk and soil to form the main body of the bank. This seems to be largely on the western side of the clay core. Over the outer edge of the counterscarp was a spread of Roman debris, consistent with cleaning out the ditches in either the Roman or mediaeval period.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • --- Article in serial: Startin, D W A , Smith, K , and Green, C J S. 1972. Excavations for the Dorchester Excavation Committee, Interim report, 1972. 94. 80.
  • --- Article in serial: Startin, D W A , Smith, K , and Green, C J S. 1972. Excavations for the Dorchester Excavation Committee, Interim report, 1972. 94. 80.

Map

Parent/preceding Site Events/Activities (1)

  • The Grove, Dorchester; excavation 1972

Record last edited

Jan 23 2012 9:34AM

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