SDO11321 - Archaeological Observation and Recording at Chescombe House, 31 Long Street, Cerne Abbas

‘Planning Application No. 1/E/94/329. Extension at rear of house. The County Archaeological Officer recommended a condition requiring archaeological observation and recording during groundworks on this application because of the site’s location in the historic core of Cerne Abbas. The DCC Archaeology Service offered to carry out the work. The condition was duly attached to the consent granted by West Dorset District Council. I visited the site on the afternoon of Friday 13 January 1995, when the hand excavation of the foundation trench was almost finished. This trench was L-shaped, on the lines of the north and west walls of the extension, as shown on the attached location map. It was about 1m deep. The sides of the trench showed about 0.15m of recent surface (according to the owner laid within his memory), overlying natural subsoil, which was a cream-coloured sandy silt. Several finds made during the excavation of the trench had been retained. They were all of recent origin.’