EDO4125 - South Walks CSO, Dorchester; observations and recording 2002

Archaeological observations were undertaken by Terrain Archaeology, in January 2002, during sewerage improvement works at the junction of South Street and South Walks, Dorchester. The works resulted in an irregular, lozenge-shaped trench, approximately 6.5m long E-W by 4.5m wide N-S, against the eastern edge of the existing road, and partially encroaching onto the adjacent grass verge. The excavation was 0.8m-0.9m deep (2.4m deep in the western quadrant). The eastern and western sides had been disturbed by modern activity to their full depth. Archaeological deposits were visible in the northern and southern sections. Roman road gravels were observed at a depth of one metre, overlying earlier soil deposits lying directly on top of undisturbed chalk bedrock. The alignment of the road was not determined, but it is probably part of the southern approach road to the town. These discoveries add credence to the hypothesis that this is the area of the south gate of the Roman town. Traces of a robbed-out building of possible 18th century date were found overlying the Roman road gravels. (2) This building has been identified on an 1810 map of Dorchester. (3)