EDO5799 - Hollands House, Poundbury, Dorchester; archaeological evaluation 2007

Three trenches were excavated and evaluated within the footprint of the proposed new structure, a three and four storey office block intended to be the headquarters for the Magna Housing Group. The site contained no finds, features or structures of archaeological value except for a 19th century well. Tarmac and a 'type 1' aggregate sub-base overlay geologically deposited chalk in Trenches 1 and 2. A modern service trench was recorded in Trench 1. An infilled 19th century well which cut the natural chalk and was sealed by the carpark sub-base was present in Trench 3. The site had been terraced into the hillside as part of the construction of the extant Hollands House an event which appears to have removed any archaeological remains which may once have been present. Previous archaeological work to the north, west and south of the present site had revealed evidence for burials belonging to the Poundbury Roman burial complex; no archaeological remains relating to the burial complex were encountered during the archaeological evaluation.