EDO4996 - Bridport Road refuse dump, Middle Farm, Dorchester; excavation 2005

A late Victorian refuse dump was excavated by ALD Excavations at Middle Farm, Poundbury, Dorchester between 5th-19th March and 18th September-1st October 2005. This was excavated by machine, but the location of the material and the stratigraphic make-up of the pit were recorded, to give a detailed picture of the development of the dump. A disused chalk pit was utilised and tipping began in 1889 and was finally closed in 1901-2. Two distinct areas of tipping were identified and there was clear evidence for scavenging. Glass bottles, jars, etc were systematically collected, together with a sample of the pottery and animal bone, but very few metal items were found. The majority of the bottles were dated to the late 1880s-late 1890s contemporary with the use of the tip, but some earlier material, mainly dating to the period 1870-1885 was found, together with isolated examples of earlier 19th century material. (1) (2)