SDO9826 - Dorchester, 3 Fordington High Street (Noah's Ark)

Observation of internal wall footings during the redevelopment of 3 Fordington High Street was carried out by C. Sparey-Green on 11 August 2003. Trenches were dug to a maximum depth of 2m, with 1.4 of stratigraphy visible above the ground water level. At no point was the chalk bedrock exposed, although in section A, near the centre of the site and approximately 4m from the High Street frontage, the upper surface of a mass of dense chalk rubble was seen dropping westward below water level. This was sealed by a dark silt and gravel layer extending over the whole site and thickening towards the river. Above this lay a deposit of rammed chalk and gravel metalling, rising and becoming thicker towards the High Street frontage, with a northern edge aligned E-W. This may be associated with a Roman or Early Medieval approach road to Dorchester from the East. No dating evidence was recovered although part of a mill stone was recovered from the spoil heap, which may have derived from the road metalling. This millstone was thought to be Roman or Early Medieval in date. This may also represent some of the earliest evidence for a watermill in Dorchester. This metalling was sealed by more silt and building rubble and make up associated with the Noah's Ark building.