SDO9748 - Excavations in Dorchester in 1954; County Hall, Colliton Park

Late in 1953 the construction of a new cellar in the basement of the County Hall, in the corner angle between the north wings and the north west wing, adjoining the tennis court, led to the discovery of a 4th century Roman rubbish pit, some teo thirds of which lay outside the wall of the N.W. wing. The position of the pit would thus be some 25 feet due east of the N.W. angle of building IIIA excavated in 1938 (PDNHAS, 60, pl.X). The late Mr. Harry Burr undertook the clearance of the pit on belhalf of the society, until the foreman in charge found it necessary to concrete it, unfortunately before this work was completed. A quantity of pottery was deposited in the museum, but in the absence of notes on stratification, the series, which includes a piece of 2nd century Samian as well as 4th century New Forset Ware, does not merit detailed description.