EDO8222 - HMP The Verne, Verne Common Road, Portland; observations and recording 2023 to 2024

OASIS: The overall scope of the archaeological works comprised a watching brief on all groundworks associated with the development on site. Non-archaeologically significant deposits were removed by the contractors under archaeological supervision. Where mechanical excavators are used, these were equipped with a toothless bucket on a back-acting machine. If archaeological deposits were found which were of sufficient significance to merit an alternative approach such as contingency excavation or physical preservation, the client and archaeological advisor to the Council planning authority were contacted immediately. Destructive work in that area ceased until agreement has been reached on an appropriate archaeological response. Project Results: The groundwork within the eastern and western extent reached a maximum depth of 2.5m, most of which was through bedrock, the maximum depth of the topsoil/subsoil/archaeological layers never advanced beyond 0.8m. Between the eastern and western extent runs a tarmac road that led to a larger open, hardstanding space, through which the southern extent of pipe trench groundwork took place, to a maximum depth of 0.6m, through made ground. The western extent of site showed nothing of archaeological interest during monitoring. The eastern extent revealed the footings of an 1860’s built mess/military accommodation, that partially extended into the eastern most aspect of the southern/pipe trenching area, and a separate three chambered water cistern. The footings and the cistern are commensurate in date with the extant casement buildings and Citadel walls. The footings are the remnants of a building much mirrored by the surviving and still in use, office building, directly east of site.