EDO5931 - Shire Hall, Dorchester; evaluation 2012

Machine excavation of two test pits approximately 1m by 1m square in one of two rooms in the basement. A third test pit in the second room was planned to not dug, owing to safety concerns because of the presence of unstable rubble. Archaeological features were cleaned by hand and sampled by hand excavation. There was felt to be some potential for survival of Roman or earlier deposits, as the site is within the Roman town of Durnovaria. These test pits indicated that Shire Hall was likely to have been built onto a graded natural surface. However, the report comments that this work was restricted and that, while survival of Roman or earlier archaeological remains seems improbable, it could not be ruled out. A circular feature, interpreted as a probable well and thought most likely to be contemporary with the building, and some evidence for strenthening of an original internal wall were recorded.