EDO4363 - Dorchester Prison, North Square, Dorchester; excavation 1970 Trench 2

Trial Excavation prior to the redevelopment of demolished prison warders houses at 1-10 Castle Row, North Square was directed by Christopher Chaplin for the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works in January-March 1970. Two small trenches were excavated, revealing Roman buildings, and the ditch of the medieval castle. Trench 2 measured 7m x 2m aligned E-W in the north of the site. The medieval castle ditch had been quarried away during the 17th century, probably to provide chalk for a lime kiln. Nineteenth century levelling covered the slopes left by the quarrying.