EDO4657 - Former Olds Garage, 55 Bridport Road, Dorchester; excavation 2006

Context One Archaeological Services carried out an archaeological evaluation on the site of the former Olds Garage, 55 Bridport Road, Dorchester over three days between the 11th and 13th July 2006. The work was carried out to assist the determination of a planning proposal to redevelop the site. Three trenches were excavated. Across the site, modern levelling layers underlying the existing tarmac surfaces and associated with construction of the garage were identified. Underlying this on the eastern side of the site were 20th century demolition layers associated with former cottages that fronted on Bridport Road prior to the construction of the garage. Beneath the levelling layers a number of archaeological features were identified. A total of five inhumations were exposed in the northernmost trench, although no cultural evidence was found in association with them, it can be inferred that they relate to the Roman period. Where the orientation of the burials was discernable they were found to be E-W aligned, supine and extended. This evidence is consistent with a late Roman christian cemetery and they may form part of a known cemetery adjacent to Hawthorne Road c.50m to the east. A series of small post-holes were identified in proximity to the inhumations and may represent the remains of timber structures.