EDO4584 - Bowling Alley Walk, Dorchester; evaluation 1970

A trench three metres wide was cut across the south rampart of the Roman town about forty metres from the SW corner of the defences, at Bowling Alley Walk, in continuation of a trench dug in 1969 (Dorset County Hospital Site A). The excavation revealed the remains of a primary chalk bank 15 metres wide sealing the original turf line. Immediately behind the primary bank was a three metre wide footing cut into the natural chalk and comprising three layers of flints and puddled chalk. The primary bank and the footing were sealed beneath a turf line. This was sealed in turn by the chalk rubble of the secondary rampart, which was proved to be at least 27 m, the front being close to the northern boundary wall of 25-28 Great Western Road. The ditches in front were not revealed. There was no sign of the town wall, but the front of the rampart had been disturbed by a 17th/18th century ditch and modern services. The original ground surface remained intact beneath the post-medieval and modern disturbance, so if the wall was along this line, then it must have been founded on the make-up of the bank. (1)(2).