SDO9627 - Excavations of Neolithic and Bronze Age Features at the Thomas Hardye School,Queen's Avenue, Dorchester. Assessment report on the results of archaeological excavations undertaken at the above site in 1994, including p[roposals for post-excavation analysii

During the summer of 1994 a series of archaeological excavations and watching briefs was undertaken by Wessex Archaeology, on behalf of Dorset County Council, West Dorset District Council and The Thomas Hardye School in the vicinity of Thomas Hardye School in the southwest outskirts of Dorchseter, Dorset. A total of approximately 4.5 ha was investigated. The site lies on a gentle south-facing slope below a low chalk ridge between Maiden Castle and the River Frome. The north of the site lies close to the top of the ridge at about the 87 m OD contour. Geophysical survey prior to the excavation had revealed a number of linear and circular features indicative of Bronze Age ring ditches and early field boundaries. On excavation two main foci of prehistoric activity were revealed. At least 33 pits were identified and recorded. Some of these date to the Late Neolithic period (3000-2400 BC) and contained artefacts which appeared to have been deliberately and carefully placed. One group of pits formed a semi-circular arrangement, similar to two Late Neolithic pit-rings previously recorded in the Dorchester area. These pits probably represent the remnants of ceremonial and domestic activity. The remains of a substantial Bronze Age linear barrow cemetery were also recorded. These comprised five barrows of which four had surviving mound deposits. The barrows and their ditches contained burials, both cremations and inhumations, indicative of a prolonged period of use and development of the barrow cemetery. Finds, particularly the large quantities of worked flint, also suggested non-ritual use of the barrows. These barrows were significant monuments in their own right and the probably also formed part of an impressive barrow cemetery ranged along a chalk ridge to the east, including Fordington Farm barrow, Conquer Barrow and the barrow central to the Flagstones enclosure. After partial excavation of the barrows, a scheme for their preservation in situ was proposed and implemented which entailed their consolidation prior to reburial beneath up to 21.5 m of chalk.