SDO21417 - HMP The Verne, Verne Common Road, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1EQ. Archaeological Watching Brief

‘1.1.1 This report presents the results of an archaeological watching brief undertaken between June 2023 and May 2024 over the site of a former MUGA within HMP Verne, Verne Common Road, Portland, Dorset. The groundworks consisted of the removal of the MUGA, the associated grasslands amenity areas, the partial trenching of a hardstanding area, across a tarmac road, and then the implementation of drainage, heating pipes, water mains, electric cables and footings in advance of erecting temporary prisoner accommodation. 1.1.2 The work progressed in specific areas at given times, as such the site was broken down into three areas for ease of description. Firstly, the western extent, or cell area. Secondly, the eastern extent, or plant room/office area and thirdly, the southern extent, or pipe trench area. 1.1.3 The groundwork within the eastern and western extent reached a maximum depth of 2.5m, most of which was through bedrock, the maximum depth of the topsoil/subsoil/archaeological layers never advanced beyond 0.8m. Between the eastern and western extent runs a tarmac road that led to a larger open, hardstanding space, through which the southern extent of pipe trench groundwork took place, to a maximum depth of 0.6m, through made ground. 1.1.4 The site is located within the Verne Citadel which is a scheduled monument, and the work took place close to but outside of the scheduled area which comprised the Citadel walls, and its associated boundary fortifications. Archaeological remains from prehistoric, Roman, Medieval and post-Medieval periods have all been found upon the isle of Portland. 1.1.5 The western extent of site showed nothing of archaeological interest during monitoring. The eastern extent revealed the footings of an 1860’s built mess/military accommodation, that partially extended into the eastern most aspect of the southern/pipe trenching area, and a separate three chambered water cistern. The footings and the cistern are commensurate in date with the extant casement buildings and Citadel walls. The footings are the remnants of a building much mirrored by the surviving and still in use, office building, directly east of site.’