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<< Our Photo Pages >> Dorchester, Tudor Arcade - Timber Circle in England in Dorset

Submitted by TimPrevett on Wednesday, 14 April 2004  Page Views: 20316

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Country: England County: Dorset Type: Timber Circle
Nearest Town: Dorchester
Map Ref: SY693906  Landranger Map Number: 194
Latitude: 50.714213N  Longitude: 2.436198W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
1 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
1 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
5 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
3

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Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by TimPrevett : When in Dorchester, I just had to check out the report in Bill Putnam's book "Dorset: The Prehistoric Age" that there were red markings in Waitrose Car Park, Dorchester, denoting sites of larger timber posts, which formed part of a timber circle. Quote "parts of a large timber circle have been discovered surrounding a projected area of around 380 metres in diameter. Apparently some 600 mature o... (Vote or comment on this photo)
Timber Circle in Dorset

When in Dorchester, I just had to check out the report in Bill Putnam's book "Dorset: The Prehistoric Age" that there were red markings in Waitrose Car Park, Dorchester, denoting sites of larger timber posts, which formed part of a timber circle. Quote "parts of a large timber circle have been discovered surrounding a projected area of around 380 metres in diameter.

Apparently some 600 mature oak tree trunks would have been required for its construction. A radiocarbon date for it is about 2100BC."

The grid reference would be SY693906, or if using multimap / streetmap, address is Tudor Arcade, South Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1BN.

Well, when I found a pedestrian entrance (also a lift down from the above shopping arcade - but I did not know that until trying to find a way out that linked in with my route), I walked into the car park expecting to have to search hard, but soon saw a long wavy arc of 20 (I counted, including some under parked cars!) red circles. I had to wait a bit as the place was busy enough with pedestrians and cars before I could get some usable photos. I must have looked suspicious, loitering in an underground car park, with a camera, checking the coast is clear, and looking under cars!

This site, when in its prime, would have been huge, on a prominent hillside in the neighbourhood, along with Maumbury Ring, Mount Pleasant Henge, Maiden Castle, Poundbury Hill Fort all featuring in the area, over time.

Again, I can not believe I knew nothing of this once important location when I lived and worked in the area. There are some WCs as part of the same complex, under Waitrose, and the times I visited those, just feet away. Given there are no signs in the car park explaining them, nor in the tourist information, and neither in the County Museum, just 5 minutes walk away, I expect many people in the area will continue to be ignorant of the significance of the large red circles on the car park floor!

In the County Museum, upstairs overlooking the Roman Mosaics, is a circular display showing the width of the trunks found for the timber circle, with a relief map and diagram showing the location of the local prehistoric monuments. This is actually away from the main section on prehistory, so it's not obvious otherwise.
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Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : Dorchester Henge (Greyhound Yard) (Vote or comment on this photo)

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : The red mosaic circles on the floor of the multi storey carpark that mark the positions of the massive timbers (Vote or comment on this photo)

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup (Vote or comment on this photo)

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup (Vote or comment on this photo)

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : The red mosaic circles on the floor of the multi storey carpark from 1986 that mark the positions of the massive timbers

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : The red mosaic circles on the floor of the multi storey carpark that mark the positions of the massive timbers, They've lasted really well since 1986

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : The plan of Dorchester Henge (Greyhound Yard) off the info board that's round the corner from the post holes

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : There's lots of archeology under the surface on Salisbury field, Notice the discolouration of the grass in the photo

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : What looks like a slight semi-circle of bank with a possible posthole in the middle on Salisbury Field

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : I saw that the massive timber circle passed though a green space called Salisbury Field, I had a look and luckily for me because of a dry spell it was easy to spot 6 circular discoloured patches stretching over the field, This confirmed to me that this monument did exist and was that big, Notice the discoloured grass In the foreground of the photo

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : I saw that the massive timber circle passed though a green space called Salisbury Field, I had a look and luckily for me because of a dry spell it was easy to spot 6 circular discoloured patches stretching over the field, This confirmed to me that this monument did exist and was that big, Notice the very visible circle of discoloured grass In the foreground of the photo, This clearly held a massiv...

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : I saw that the massive timber circle passed though a green space called Salisbury Field, I had a look and luckily for me because of a dry spell it was easy to spot 6 circular discoloured patches stretching over the field, This confirmed to me that this monument did exist and was that big, Notice the circle of discoloured grass In the foreground of the photo

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : I saw that the massive timber circle passed though a green space called Salisbury Field, I had a look and luckily for me because of a dry spell it was easy to spot 6 circular discoloured patches stretching over the field, This confirmed to me that this monument did exist and was that big, It would make a great Time Team and it should be excavated as soon as possible, As the access for whoever did ...

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : I believe the left hand side is them building this place and the right hand side is the building of Maumbury Rings Henge, but i may be wrong (and Tim right)

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : Dorchester Henge (Greyhound Yard), Fab plan on a metal plaque from 1986 in the car park stairs, I think the 1986 name - Dorchester Neolithic Monument wins the name game over Dorchester Henge, Tudor Arcade and Greyhound Yard

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : Dorchester Henge (Greyhound Yard), Fab metal plaque from 1986 in the car park stairs

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by Bladup : The information board round the corner from the carpark with the red mosaic circles marking the postholes, It would make more sense if they were closer together, I've not heard it called Tudor Arcade before, I knew the place as Greyhound Yard, but now it's called Dorchester henge

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by TimPrevett : Close up - information plaque near the lifts in the basement showing interpretation of the vast timber circle which once stood not far away - now marked with red circles.

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by TimPrevett : Information plaque near the lifts in the basement showing interpretation of the vast timber circle which once stood not far away - now marked with red circles.

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by TimPrevett : Mural opposite the lifts showing interpretation of the vast timber circle which once stood two floors below - now marked with red circles.

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by TimPrevett (2 comments)

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by TimPrevett

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by TimPrevett : Close up - mural opposite the lifts showing interpretation of the vast timber circle which once stood two floors below - now marked with red circles.

Dorchester, Tudor Arcade
Dorchester, Tudor Arcade submitted by TimPrevett : Mural opposite the lifts showing interpretation of the vast timber circle which once stood two floors below - now marked with red circles.

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 223m WNW 296° Dorset County Museum* Museum (SY691907)
 487m NW 316° Dorchester Roman Town House* Ancient Village or Settlement (SY68969095)
 739m SSW 203° Maumbury Rings* Henge (SY69018992)
 1.2km WNW 295° Poundbury* Hillfort (SY68199113)
 1.3km ESE 122° Flagstones Enclosure* Causewayed Enclosure (SY704899)
 1.7km SSE 166° Conygar Hill Barrows* Barrow Cemetery (SY697889)
 1.8km ESE 109° Mount Pleasant (Dorset)* Henge (SY710900)
 2.3km SSW 199° Herringston Long Barrow* Long Barrow (SY68548844)
 2.3km SSW 200° Herringston Bowl Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (SY68478842)
 2.7km WNW 298° Bradford Peverell 2* Long Barrow (SY669919)
 3.0km WSW 237° Maiden Castle Linear Earthwork Misc. Earthwork (SY66798902)
 3.0km WSW 246° Maiden Castle Long Barrow 2 Long Barrow (SY66578938)
 3.0km WSW 242° Lanceborough Enclosure Misc. Earthwork (SY66658920)
 3.0km WSW 242° Maiden Castle Barrow Cemetery* Barrow Cemetery (SY666892)
 3.2km SW 228° Maiden Castle Bank Barrow* Long Barrow (SY66928850)
 3.2km SW 228° Maiden Castle Causewayed Enclosure* Causewayed Enclosure (SY66938848)
 3.2km SW 228° Maiden Castle (Dorset)* Hillfort (SY66908846)
 3.3km WSW 237° Maiden Castle Long Barrow 1 Long Barrow (SY66518879)
 3.3km SE 134° Whitcombe* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SY717883)
 4.0km E 79° Heedless William's Stone* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SY732913)
 4.0km WSW 246° Clandon Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (SY65638900)
 4.3km S 188° Came Down* Barrow Cemetery (SY687863)
 4.4km W 266° Bridport Road Barrow Cemetery Barrow Cemetery (SY649903)
 4.4km ENE 71° Rainbarrows* Round Barrow(s) (SY735920)
 4.4km N 7° Culliford Tree* Barrow Cemetery (SY699950)
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"Dorchester, Tudor Arcade" | Login/Create an Account | 4 News and Comments
  
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Charles Street development - petition to save the archaeology by Andy B on Thursday, 05 February 2015
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D.O.R.C.H. (Defend Our Rich Cultural Heritage) is a group of Dorchester residents concerned at the lack of care shown towards the town’s extraordinary historic and literary legacy by local government and commerce. Currently we are attempting to publicise the little-known fact that West Dorset District Council and the developers, Simons, are pressing ahead with Phase 2 of the Charles Street development without first carrying out the full and comprehensive archaeological investigation which was promised to, and approved by, English Heritage in 2007.

The site lies within the Roman walls of Dorchester, and its archaeology is likely to include vital clues to the town’s past, from prehistoric times to the present, all of which will be destroyed as the proposed development includes underground car parking. Now it would appear that the Council has decided to squander a major opportunity to explore and enhance the understanding of Dorchester’s history. Instead of a thorough investigation of what remains below ground level, much of the archaeology is to be removed to landfill with the bare minimum of investigation.

The developers commissioned consultants Cotswold Archaeology to provide a ‘Cultural Heritage Assessment’ which rated the site as being only of ‘medium’ importance, despite the fact that it is bounded on one side by the remains of Dorchester’s Roman bath-house, and on another by a unique and internationally important Neolithic (5000 BC) henge monument.

This report contained many factual errors and omissions, and its ‘fitness for purpose’ has been questioned by former County Archaeologist, and ex-President of the British Archaeological Association, Laurence Keen OBE. By their own admission the consultants’ assessment was ‘refined in order to reduce expenditure and maintain the economic viability of the development scheme’.

The Council appears determined to see the project through at any cost. So far this has included over £4million of ratepayers’ money to keep the developers interested, and to subsidise any ‘financial gap to viability’ – now it seems as if it will also be at the cost of our town’s heritage, and the future opportunity for generations of residents, visitors, students and historians to enjoy, study and understand this vital part of Dorchester’s history.

On Tuesday 13 January, commenting on the current ‘Detailed Archaeological Design’ for archaeological work submitted by Simons, an English Heritage spokesman said:

‘We reluctantly agreed to the town centre redevelopment on the basis that the archaeology would be fully excavated and recorded prior to being destroyed to make way for new, underground, car parking. We understand that the developer considers a full excavation to be too expensive, and wants to revise the scheme to limit archaeological investigation and recording. There is only one opportunity to record the extremely rich archaeological heritage of this town centre site. If the developer is unable to commit to full excavation, we suggest their car parking proposals are revised to omit the underground element, preserving the archaeology in situ beneath the surface of the scheme.’

Worryingly, Dorset County Council’s senior archaeologist, Steve Wallis, is on record as having expressed the opinion that ‘English Heritage has expertise in this side of things, but ultimately it will be a decision for WDDC, who may well seek advice from economic experts as well’.

An online petition started by D.O.R.C.H. at

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/DORCH

to ensure that a full and comprehensive archaeological investigation is carried out before the development starts has now raised over 3,500 signatures.

See our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/savedorch

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Re: Dorchester, Tudor Arcade Timber Circle by coldrum on Sunday, 16 January 2011
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Pastscape entry:

http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1147728
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Re: Dorchester, Tudor Arcade Timber Circle by TimPrevett on Tuesday, 09 November 2010
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Clip on YouTube walking along the line of red circles / timber:
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Re: Dorchester, Tudor Arcade Timber Circle by TimPrevett on Tuesday, 09 November 2010
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Check out the modern murals opposite the lifts on the ground floor for a depiction of this, and in the lift area in the basement is more information and a plan of the circle.
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