SDO12380 - Land at Middle Fairfield, Dorchester, Dorset. An archaeological field evaluation

Context One Archaeological Services Ltd (COAS) carried out an Archaeological Field Evaluation at Middle Fairfield, Dorchester, Dorset over 7 days between 30th October and 6th November 2009. The investigation was commissioned and funded by West Dorset District Council. The evaluation was requested by West Dorset Distict Council on the acdvice of Mr Steve Wallis (Senior Archaeologist, Dorset County Council) in order to assess the possible re-development potential of the site. The archaeological work confirmed the presence of a Romano-British inhumation cemetery. Although only three inhumation burials were confirmed during the evaluation, it is likely these represent part of a larger cemetery focused along the former Roman road now defined by Weymouth Avenue. A flint rubble wall foundation was also identified adjacent to these burials which may represent the remains of a mausoleum. In addition, a small number of Romano-British, medieval, post-medieval and undated ditches were recorded. The most substantial of these ditches ran approximately 10m to the west of, and parallel to, the current line of Weymouth Avenue. This is almost certainly a continuation of a Roman roadside ditch uncovered during previous excavations to the north of the Site. Most of the other ditches identified probably represent field boundaries associated with later agricultural acivity. Similarly, a large cut identified near the western edge of the Site probably represents an episode of 19th century chalk quarrying. Despite confirming the presence of an inhumation cemetery along the eastern edge of the Site, it does appear that a substantial part of this area does not contain significant concentrations of archaeology. However, g iven the nature of this sampling teqchnique, some caution should be exercised here in discounting 'blank' areas as being completely void of further remains. As such, the possible presence of additonal burials or other archaeological features in these zones should not be ruled out.