EDO6603 - The Barracks, Bridport Road, Dorchester; evaluation 2013

An evaluation comprising the excavation by machine of three trenches in areas to be affected by foundations and service trenches of a proposed mews flat development situated within the 18th-century barracks and in an area where Roman features, including burials, and finds had been found. Each trench was 2m long and 1m wide. Trench 1 revealed relatively modern deposits on solid chalk which was 0.23m below the modern ground surface. Trench 2 exposed a cast-iron pipe beneath layers of modern make-up; work ceased when the pipe was encountered, no archaeological finds or features having been recorded. Trench 3 again revealed relatively modern deposits above a mixed layer of chalk, flint nodules, clay, and modern brick and other material, and another layer of modern make-up. A cut feature in north-west facing section of the trench was a posthole. No dateable finds were recovered from this feature, but it appeared to cut a layer containing early modern material. The archaeologists on site noted in their report that all trenches were situated close to extant buildings, and felt that there was greater potential for survival of archaeological remains in areas away from upstanding structures.