Archaeology at the Charles Street Site

Wessex Archaeology (opens in a new window)  and consultants Cotswold Archaeology are carrying out the work on behalf of developers Simons and their construction company Cowlin.

Understanding how important the town's heritage, and therefore the archaeological aspect of any new development, is to the people of Dorchester, posters explaining the archaeological supervision, excavation and any finds, have been mounted around the Charles Street site to keep residents up to date.

In September 2010, Simons were granted planning permission to redevelop the Charles Street site, which has been earmarked for regeneration for almost 30 years.  The first phase of the project will provide new offices for West Dorset District Council and a library and adult learning centre. Once this stage is completed, work will begin on the retail side of the development, which includes over 13,000 sq m of new retail space, affordable apartments, new areas of public realm and 485 car parking spaces. 

Dorchester's Roman history

Charles Street lies near to the southern edge of the Roman town, Durnovaria. The row of trees along South Walks marks the line of Reconstruction of the Roman town walls.  The Roman public baths, which were imposing buildings, stood not far away.   Currently, developers and planners are working together at Charles Street to preserve as much as possible of this important chapter in Dorchester's history.

Andrew Pollett, Simons Project Director, said "We know how important Dorchester's archaeological heritage is to the people of the town. Although health and safety reasons prevent us from allowing public access to the site at this stage we hope that the viewing holes, provided by the contractor Cowlin Construction, around the site and these new posters, which will be updated with relevant information and significant finds throughout the project, will ensure everyone is kept up to date."

First results

The first results from the excavation show that houses stood on the site in Roman times. As well as the stone foundations of the walls of the rectangular buildings, traces of some of the floors have already been found.  One room has an opus signinum floor. This flooring was popular in Roman times and was made of tesserae, small stones and pieces of tile set in clay. Other finds include pieces of painted wall plaster, coins and pottery. 

The burial of a baby has also been found. Although most Romans were buried in large cemeteries outside the town, infants were buried within the settlement.  Neil Holbrook of Cotswold Archaeology, archaeological consultant to Simons Developments, said:  "As part of the archaeological dig by Wessex Archaeology on the site of the first phase of the Charles Street development, we have uncovered the remains of a Roman child, close to the area which was the Roman town's defences.

Such finds are common in Roman towns as the bodies of children were buried inside the settlement, adults outside. The bodies also appear to have been of symbolic value to the Romans, who often buried them underneath the threshold of a house.  The bones have been sent to Wessex Archaeology in Salisbury to be examined.

We have now put posters up around the site to explain our work up to date, and give people the chance to learn more about the dig. All finds from the dig will be offered to the Dorset County Museum."

Mr Holbrook continued:  "The design of the buildings and the construction programme have been carefully planned to preserve the archaeology across the vast majority of the site. Excavation is only required in a few small areas, which will be further examined for the next four weeks. Any further significant finds will also be out on display."

After experts have looked at the finds, public talks will be given and a report will be written. The finds will be given to the County Museum in High West Street.