SDO9479 - Summary Report on Archaeological Excavations on the site of the Maiden Castle Road First School, Dorchester, Dorset

AC Archaeology carried out archaeological excavations on the site of the Maiden Castle Road First School, Dorchester. Previous evaluation had revealed two Iron Age enclosures (Enclosures 1 and 2) containing the remains of roundhouses, pits and other features. Excavation was concentrated in the northern part of the development area, directed specifically at the excavation of those elements of Enclosure 1 which were to be destroyed during terracing for a playing field. The archaeoloigical remains in this area were well preserved: the layout and internal arrangement of the enclosure was revealed, and it was discovered that it may originally have had an entrance way from the west as well as the south. A sequence of roundhouse remains and a metalled courtyard occupied the western side of the enclosure with open space and pits to the east and north east side.