SDO210 - Proposed Development at Heathcote House, Icen Way, Dorchester, Dorset: Archaeological Assessment

Two evaluation trenches were opened in the grounds of Heathcote House, Icen Way, Dorchester, prior to proposed development of the site.The total area examined by the assessment amounted to approximately a 1.6% sample of the development area. This sample is likely to have been sufficiently high to enable broad indications of archaeological intensity to be determined. Similarly the location of the trenches down the gently sloping ground in this part of Dorchester would be expected to locate any major linear features such as field boundaries, tracks etc which might have run north to south across the site. The general impression of the early occupation of the site, as evident from the presence of displaced or stray finds within the deep soil overburdens, is that the area has not been intensively utilised for settlement. Similarly, the presence of archaeological features of Medieval or earlier date is very low considering the site's proximity to the Roman town. While two subsoil features (10 and 15) could not be dated by the presence of artefacts, only one (14) is likely to be Romano-British in date. It is probable that other archaeological deposits exist elsewhere on the site, particularly to the north west where deeper soils exist. The survival of any such deposits to the south east may be affected by post Medieval disturbance. The density of further archaeological deposits, from the evidence gained, is unlikely to be high.