EDO4525 - Dorchester Ring Main; watching brief 1992

Observation, recording and excavation were carried out during 1992 by AC Archaeology on the line of a major new water main for Dorchester. The pipeline was commissioned by Wessex Water who also funded the archaeological programme. The pipeline ran from the west of the town at Bradford Peverell, northwards towards the river Frome, terminating at Eagle Lodge on the east of the town, and also southwards from Bradford Peverell through Fordington Down terminating at Maiden Castle Road. Following the fencing of the pipeline an archaeological walk-over was conducted and visible earthworks noted. Once topsoil had been removed the easement was again walked, surface finds collected and the presence of subsoil features noted. Where concentrations of archaeological features were noted further detailed recording and excavation was undertake. Subsequently the pipe trenching was monitored and any exposed features recorded. The following list summarises only the sites recorded in the Dorchester area: Prehistoric features on Fordington Down (SY 667911): pits, post-holes and ditches of later prehistoric date were record, in some instances sealed beneath an RB buried turf-line. Located just outside the line of the Dorchester By-Pass. Romano-British settlemement in Fordington Bottom (SY 666907): extensive remains were revealed through topsoil stripping and limited excavation along the pipe-line demonstrated seven phases of activity. Prehistoric colluvium was overlain by 3 phases of RB occupation. The 3rd-4th century phase included a substantial flint and mortar building. In the final phase a medieval ditch cut this building. Field system and Romano-British Pits at SY666906. Iron Age and Romano-British Settlement remains at Maiden Castle Farm (SY 6781989498): a complex of post-alignments and boundary/enclosure ditches (containing LIA/RB pottery) were revealed 90m north of Maiden Castle Road [1].