EDO5112 - Island House, Newland, Sherborne; archaeological observations

ASI maintained a watching brief during the construction of an extension to Island House, Newlands in early July 1997. The discovery of parts of a single, undated, supine, adult inhumation burial were recorded. The remains lay at approximately 0.6m below the present ground surface and the associated stratigraphic deposits are directly beneath the modern subsoil. The skeletal remains included part of the pelvis, lower spine, upper legs, lower arms and ribs. These were re-interred in the upper fills of the grave immediately after recording. This burial lies in an area where previous burials have been discovered. Newlands was formerly known as St. Swithin’s road and a medieval fair was recorded here dedicated to the saint. The site of a putative chapel or church with which the burials may be associated has not yet been discovered (1).