EDO4539 - 8 Albert Road, Dorchester; excavation 1986

Wessex Archaeology undertook an excavation in the garden to the rear of 8 Albert Road, Dorchester, in June- August 1986, in advance of landscaping works. The site lay within the area where a large number of Roman burials had been found previously. A total of 16 Late Roman graves were excavated from an area measuring about 8m x 8m. The burials were extended inhumations (three lying prone) and were mainly oriented N-S or E-W. Ten graves had coffin nails set around the body indicating the former presence of a wooden coffin. Five burials had hobnails around the feet area; two had bone pins; one had a 3rd century copper intaglio ring and another a group of 8 jet or shale beads. Another burial aligned N-S was found lying partly on its side with the legs bent. This badly disturbed burial was at a slightly higher level than the others and may be later in date. The burials were cut into the remains of the counterscarp bank of the Roman town defences. An infant burial was found within the deposits accumulated over the edge of the counterscarp bank.