SDO9570 - Dorchester Post Office Site, Dorchester, Dorset, Archaeological Evaluation

In September 2005 Wessex Archaeology was commissioned by LRK Associates to undertake an archaeological evaluation of land proposed for re-development at the rear of Dorchester Post Office, 43 South Street, Dorchester, Dorset, centred on National Grid Reference 369220 090510 (hereafter 'the Site'). At the time of the evaluation the Site comprised a parcel of land measuring approximately 500m2 situated at the rear of Dorchester Post Office within the heart of the historic town of Dorchester. The Site is bounded by the Post Office building to the east, New Street to the south, Trinity Street to the west and commercial buildings to the north. It is evident from the evaluation that the Site contains significant archaeological remains dating from the Late Iron Age and the Roman period, the pottery ranging in date from the 1st century BC to the later 3rd/4th century AD, and so pertaining to the origins and development of the Roman town. Seven archaeological features and four modern features were identified, sealed by modern rubble. They comprised an oven or kiln and a pit in Trench 1; a modern pit, a possible cellar or air raid shelter, a truncated pit/scoop and two post pits in Trench 2; a possible construction cut for wall footings in Trench 3; and a limestone, sandstone and mortar wall in Trench 4. The archaeological remains, which had been subject to a relatively limited degree of impacts from later activity, were recorded at depths of as little as 0.25m below the present levels. This indicates that a high level of preservation of Roman features and deposits might be expected across the Site, with the exception of those areas of high previous impact on the lines of the existing walls of the Post Office. It is recommended that the area to be developed is subject to archaeological excavation after the demolition of the existing buildings but prior to development in order to fully investigate and preserve by record the archaeological remains.