EDO4341 - Dorchester Prison, North Square, Dorchester; observations and recording 1978

A machine dug contractor's trench for a high security fence around the western area of the Prison was observed and recorded by Jo Draper and Peter Woodward between the 9th March and the 30th April 1978.This area was trial trenched in 1975. The trench was c. 1.5-1.7m wide and on average 1.4m deep. It cut through some of the 1975 trenches, a late 1st century pit, and another which may have been Roman were recorded. The trench cut through the Castle ditches 1 and 2 along the SW boundary of the Prison. Eighteenth century drains, post-holes, a road and a small ditch were sectioned, and some nineteenth century features were also seen.