Dorchester, Dorset: Archaeological Digs and Excavation Works

What is happening? Statement from West Dorset District Council, Dorset For You

"The Dorchester retail proposals for the town centre is underway, with the masterplan being drafted. Each element of the masterplan is being carefully considered and appraised.

We value and respect Dorchester’s history and heritage. While looking to the future, we would also seek to protect Dorchester’s history.

Following discussions with archaeology experts, West Dorset District Council has commissioned some excavation work on the Fairfield Car park site. This will further explore any archaeological interest that may exist there. The excavations, carried out by archaeological firm ‘Context One’ will involve carrying out excavations to sample the site.
Where will it happen?

The trenches will be located at four sites in the car park. These sites have been chosen with the advice of the County Archaeologist to compliment the previous 7 sites dug in 2009. We have arranged the dig in order to minimise the impact on parking and the Dorchester market.

A mechanical excavator will dig below the surface, and any layer of archaeology underneath will then be hand dug. Any archaeological interest will then be recorded and potentially taken for review. The results of this will inform future work on the site.
When will it happen?

Barriers will be in place from Monday 20 November at the sites, across Fairfield long stay car park. The excavation works will be starting on Tuesday 21 November. We expect the work – including re-surfacing the trenches – to take up to 3 working days per site, over the course of about 3 weeks".