Monument record MDO2357 - Inhumation cemetery, Woolworths, 55 Cheap Street, Sherborne

During the demolition and clearance for the erection of Woolworths, 55 Cheap Street, in 1937, a line of nine orderly burials was found at the rear of the former premises. One seems to have been buried with a copper alloy dress ornament and two children were buried together. It seems likely that these burials pre-date the construction of Cheap Street.

C E Bean recorded observations made ‘During the demolition and clearance for the erection of these premises, built in 1937, a line of orderly burials was found at the rear of the former premises. I understood the workmen found 9 burials in all. I noted that one appeared to have been buried in some robe with gilt or bronze as the ground was stained greenish near the bones. Two young children were buried together, the surrounding earth being clean and only containing one flint flake. <1>

This site lies opposite and to the east of the site of Sherborne Abbey. It is difficult to think of a context in which orderly burials might occur at the back of Cheap Street after the construction of the road and market. It seems likely that these burials are either early medieval (associated with the Saxon or supposed early British monastery, prior to the establishment of Cheap Street) or Roman in date. A context for possible Roman burials might be provided by the reports of a Roman pavement discovered beneath the Abbey.

<1> Bean, C E, 1950, Archaeological discoveries in Sherborne and District. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 79 (Article in serial). SDO10284.

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1951, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1950, 79 (Serial). SDO50.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 887601 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 23 2024 1:09PM