Monument record MDO18167 - Proposed new Damers First School site, Quarry Pit F1102

One of two similar features found during the 2005 evaluation by AC archaeology of land to the west of Poundbury Cemetery, proposed for the site of the new Damers First School. Part of a large deep pit was found near the southern end of Trench 11. This feature is similar to other large pits found in the surrounding area, which have been interpreted as quarry pits of probable prehistoric date.

Found in the southern end of Trench 11 during the evaluation of a proposed new site for Damers First School to the west of Poundbury Cemetery, undertaken by AC archaeology in 2005 (1). This feature was picked up during a geophysical survey undertaken in advance of the evaluation (2).

An ovoid geophysical anomaly was investigated by Trench 11 and proved to be a large pit about 6m across with steeply sloping sides and a flat bottom 1.3m deep. It was filled with a lower fill of pale brown silty clay and an upper fill of brown silty clay soil containing some charcoal flecks and some worked flint.

The character and scale of this feature suggest it was a quarry pit of probable prehistoric date. A number of similar features have been found in the surrounding area.

<1> Robinson, S, 2005, Damers First School – Archaeological Investigations at Existing Site and at Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset: Results of Archaeological Trench Investigations (Unpublished document). SDO9483.

<2> Context One, 2005, Land to the rear of Damers First School, Damers Road and land to the west of Poundbury Cemetery, Dorchester, Dorset: An archaeological Geophysical Survey (Unpublished document). SDO9488.

Record last edited

Jun 12 2006 4:25AM