SDO14086 - Hollands House, Dorchester, Dorset: An Archaeological Evaluation Report

AOC Archaeology conducted an Archaeological Evaluation on the site of the proposed redevelopment of Hollands House, Dorchester, Dorset on behalf of the Magna Housing Group and their architects Ridge and Partners LLP. The evaluation work was undertaken in 3 days from 9th October – 11th October 2007 by Austin Ainsworth, Project Officer and Paolo Guarino Site Assistant, under the overall project management of Ron Humphrey, Fieldwork Manager. The site was monitored by Steve Wallis, Planning Archaeologist, Dorset County Council. The evaluation was deemed necessary by the Archaeological Advisor to West Dorset District Council as pre-determination before an application for planning consent was made. The results of the evaluation will be submitted in support of any future planning application in relation to the site. Three Trenches were excavated and evaluated within the footprint of the proposed new structure, a three and four storey office block intended to be the headquarters for the Magna Housing Group. The site contained no finds, features or structures of archaeological value except for a 19th century well. Tarmac and a ‘type 1’ aggregate sub-base overlay geologically deposited chalk in Trenches 1 and 2. A modern service trench was recorded in Trench 1. An infilled 19th century well which cut the natural chalk and was sealed by the carpark sub-base was present in Trench 3. The site had been terraced into the hillside as part of the construction of the extant Hollands House an event which appears to have removed any archaeological remains which may once have been present. Previous archaeological work to the north, west and south of the present site had revealed evidence for burials belonging to the Poundbury Roman burial complex; no archaeological remains relating to the burial complex were encountered during the archaeological evaluation.