SDO10644 - Archaeological Evaluation to R/O 43 Bowleaze Coveway, Preston, Weymouth, Dorset

Evaluation trenches in the area of proposed development demonstrated that the northern part of the plot was void of archaeological features, and any stratigraphy which might have been present in the southern part of the area would have been removed by a very large modern cut which was probably constructed as a soakaway. The small number of finds of Roman and probable Roman date present as residual finds among later material may well have derived from the temple area, together with the rubble deposit in the putative soakaway. It is concluded from the data from the evaluation trenches and existing cuts into the subsoil that it is extremely unlikely that burials or other features of Roman or pre-modern date were ever present within the area of proposed development. In particular, the Roman cemeteries known to the north of the temple did not extend to this sloping ground to the southeast.