We are going potty for our pottery

The archaeology, in mimicry of the general weather, is beginning to get hot in Dorchester. The usual and typical large amounts of pottery and nails are spilling from a whole host of new and old features. And, most importantly and significantly, we are starting to see a rising proportion of material that is 1st century CE in date. 

Yesterday was an especially good day for finds. Around four pieces of stamped pottery came out (three of samian and the other on an Oxfordshire reduced ware). And, on one of the former (a dish from South Gaul), there was a graffito: a scratched inscription of a name and an X from 2000 years ago. Obviously, it has caused a huge amount of excitement and is (so far) our star attraction. Today brought a renewed number of 'special' small finds including a deep blue shard of Roman glass from a vessel, an antler knife handle, and a huge piece of iron slag.

Other than that - we have more pits coming through and a new gravel spread under the road. Dorchester keeps on giving. 

Check out our instagram (you do not need an account to access it) to see some of our photos!

All fun in the sun

On Sunday we were joined for the last time by a team of university students originating from a whole host of institutions spotted across the globe. And, inevitably, we used their youthfulness to set to with our heaviest tools on the remaining clods of earth and soil that lie over the tarp and the archaeology. The sun is shining hot, the grass is tinder dry, and the carrion-eating red kites are circling us; but we are getting through the required work at a rattling pace.

Soon, I hope, we will be able to show you pictures of actual archaeology. For now, though, I leave you with some pictures of toil and soil. Please wish us your best as it gets steadily hotter!

Thomas

Have we been missed?

What with the football and all the political turmoil you might be forgiven for thinking that Dorchester did not have its fair share of drama this year. However, we have (also) kicked off – the Discovering Dorchester Project is up and running for its final year!

Please see below some of the pictures below of our poppy strewn field. There is not too much to report at this stage, this is very much the time of watching our site slowly begin to reveal itself beneath the soil we put back in last season (as those of you who have been following us for years will know). But, what I can say is that the weather was fine and we are mainly concerned at the moment with working out the edges of our trench.

We are quite close to the centre of Dorchester on Thames, among the allotments, and would welcome visitors at any time. Please come to say hello if you are in the area!