SDO10284 - Archaeological discoveries in Sherborne and District. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society

An interim report on excavations and observations conducted by C.E. Bean prior to 1950. These include many Roman and medieval sites in the parishes around Sherborne and some within the town itself: Pinford Lane: C. E. Bean mentions trial trenches and trial holes excavated at Pinford Lane but does not say when they were dug. He may be referring to excavations by E.A. Rawlence during ?1932. He mentions pottery and coins from the late Iron Age (1st century AD) to the late Roman period. The Roman remains are covered with 15 inches of clay, which suggested to Bean that the site reverted to marsh in the post-Roman period. He also notes that medieval material occurs together with Roman at the foot of the hills around the site. Quarr Lane (ST 63531778): ‘Many years ago, a burial was uncovered in the quarry north of this lane near a shed. It was reburied nearby. Rumour says “lead bullet in the skull”. Yeovil Road (ST 63121680): ’When Messrs. Sawtells Ltd. Extension was erected in 1930, human remains were found, “some with buttons”. Later more were discovered in the north hedge near the cooling tanks for the gas engine, when the Gas Co. was laying a new service pipe to the works. South Avenue (ST 62821588): ‘During the erection of these houses, half an axe of group I material was found in clay over rock…’ Lenthay Roman villa (ST 62371530): ‘Traces of the robbed east walls of the villa showed in ripening corn to the east of the level crossing running up to the railway fence.’ Woolworths premises, Cheap Street, Sherborne (ST 63901658) ‘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. A fine Ham stone topped medieval well was also exposed nearby and an overflow from it was then connected to the new surface water drains.’