EDO8093 - 47-48 High West Street, Dorchester; evaluation 2021

OASIS: The trench locations were set out using triangulation, with the appropriate measurements from existing buildings and landmarks having been given prior to commencement on site. However, the buildings used for the acquiring of measurements were not accessible, leading to the relocation of Trenches 2 and 3. Trench 1 had to be relocated slightly due to it having been located within a paved area. The updated locations of the trenches were agreed with the Senior Archaeologist, and later measured off accessible points to enable accurate mapping of the investigation. A total of three trial trenches, two measuring 2 m in length and 1 m wide, and the third 0.5 m in length and 0.5 m wide, were hand excavated. Excavation continued until large quantities of asbestos containing materials were encountered, whereupon the trenches were recorded and backfilled, with no further excavation taking place due to health and safety concerns. Spoil for the excavations was visually scanned for the purposes of finds retrieval. Modern artefacts were recorded and left on site, with no finds pertaining to earlier activity identified. Trenches were backfilled using excavated materials in the order in which they were excavated, and left level on completion. No other reinstatement or surface treatment was undertaken. Project Results: Significant quantities of made ground containing modern debris, including asbestos containing materials, were observed across the site, leading to the early conclusion of the works. As such, whilst no archaeological features or deposits were observed, their presence below the made ground is possible. Given the archaeological context of the site which is located within the north-eastern limit of the Roman town Durnovaria, with extensive Romano-British remains found to the west at Greenings court and to the south at Charles Street, and it being located within a landscape known to have been occupied from the early Neolithic onwards, there remains a potential for similar remains to be present within the site bounds. It is notable that the depth of the made ground is relatively significant, which may indicate the eradication of such remains during earlier construction works. Minimal site records have been scanned as a security copy and are held at Wessex Archaeology as agreed with Dorset County Museum.