SDO10307 - Romano-British and mediaeval discoveries in Sherborne; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society

A note on two discoveries made by C.E. Bean in the Sherborne area during 1951. i) A Romano-British Site at Culverhayes: C.E. Bean observed the excavation of a new surface water drain at Culverhayes car park, Ludbourne Road during 1951. A number of pits were revealed in the underlying gravel and in two cross trenches black layers and stone debris were plotted to reveal the suggested outline of a circular hut with a hearth at the centre. The pottery from the site, Samian and coarseware, had a date range of 60-180 AD. The remains nearer to Ludbourne road appear to have been removed when the houses were constructed but there may be the potential for further discoveries in the garden behind the public lavatories. ii) A (?) medieval stone culvert in Ludbourne Road; C.E. Bean observed a finely constructed arched stone culvert in Ludbourne Road during 1951. It is not clear whether this observation was made during the digging of surface water drains in the adjacent car park. The culvert was 6ft wide at the base and 4ft 2 inches high. Mr. Bean suggested a medieval date. An inspection cover has been placed over it for future examination.