EDO8232 - Stratton House, 58-60 High West Street, Dorchester; excavation and observations and recording 2015

OASIS: n June 2015 Bournemouth Archaeology carried out an archaeological watching brief at 36-41 Glyde Path Road, Dorchester, in all areas where shallow ground works up to a depth of 0.55m were excavated for new services and garden wall foundations (Trenches 1 - 3). Additionally an archaeological excavation in open area excavation was carried out in two areas (Trenches 4 and 5) where groundworks extended beyond a depth of 0.55m. Urban post-medieval deposits, including walls and wall foundations and drainage features, were recorded across the site in all areas of ground works and are typical of such sites, where buildings and wall have been reconfigured over time. No evidence for Medieval deposits was recorded, however mixed brown soils interpreted as representing 'garden soils' were recorded in Trench 4 and any Medieval features may have been concealed within the 'garden soils'. Natural subsoil was recorded in Trenches 4 and 5 where deeper excavations were carried out. As well as post-medieval features a small number of features with evidence of Romano-British activity were identified. These features contained a small amount of Romano-British pottery as well as post-medieval ceramic and as such are difficult to securely assign to the Romano-British period. The aim and objectives of the project were achieved in line with the Written Scheme of Investigation for the project, and has demonstrated that significant post-medieval walls and associated features were present within the observed areas, paralleling the findings from the previous evaluation project carried out by Context One Ltd. in 2011.