SDO15871 - Fairfield Car Park, Dorchester, Dorset. Archaeological Evaluation Report

Context One Heritage & Archaeology (C1) carried out an archaeological field evaluation through trial trenching at Fairfield Car Park, Dorchester, Dorset, to assess the area for possible re-development. The project was commissioned by West Dorset District Council. Previous evaluation by C1 within the Site had demonstrated the presence of Romano-British inhumations, a roadside ditch, and other features of similar and later date. Four further evaluation trenches were excavated for the present project. Two trenches (nos 3 and 4) positioned in the southern end of the Fairfield Car Park did not contain any observable archaeological features or deposits. However, the two trenches in the northern area revealed four features. Two substantial post-holes were situated c. 2m apart in Trench 1, and a ditch and post-hole recorded in Trench 2. None of these features produced any dateable artefacts or material. The previous evaluation work demonstrated the greatest density of features and deposits were situated in the central-eastern part of the Site (Mason 2009). The ditch in the current Trench 2 remained undated, but was positioned just to the west of known Romano-British activity, although it may equally be of a later date. Trenches 3 and 4, to the south of the features identified in 2009, did not reveal any further archaeological features or deposits, and it appears that the more intense activity did not extend into the most southerly part of the Site. This evaluation has demonstrated that there are further features in areas not previously examined, but supports the impression of decreasing density of activity further to the west of the Roman Road. The area previously identified as containing Romano-British burials and other features does not appear to extend further to the south.