EDO4588 - Marks and Spencer Extension, 48 South Street, Dorchester; observations and recording 1968

C J S Green observed groundworks for an extension on the north side Marks and Spencer's store, 48 South Street, Dorchester in 1968. the works entailed reducing the ground level to that of the original store. This work only impinged on the archaeology in the area of the middle part of the north wall of the new extension. The site was observed after the ground had been reduced over most of the site and sections were recorded at this point, and after removal of the final metre wide strip. 4 post Roman but otherwise undated large pits were seen in section and in the middle 8m, where the ground was not disturbed by these pits, the immediately post-roman black soil, 0.25m thick, was observed in situ. This soil lay directly above natural chalk and 7 parallel linear features which were cut into the chalk. These features had vertical sides and flat bases and were interpreted as foundations for a timber building of mid 1st century date. It was not clear whether they belonged to a single phase or multiple phase structure. C.J.S. Green tentatively suggested they represent a Roman military granary. It was expected that the projected line of a road of the town grid would cross this site and it may be that traces of flints and chalky brown loam overlying the natural chalk some 2m east of the beam slots may represent traces of a road foundation. These notes were summarised from C.J.S Green's site notes.