North Quay open day sees people learn about Weymouth's past

Queues of people were lined up by the old town hall in Weymouth on Saturday, November 4 to take a peek at the finds from the archaeological site of North Quay.

The dig, taking place at the rear of the building at North Quay, has seen the former council office main car park closed since September 11, as well as two smaller car parks on the site.

Visitors got to look at the finds on display in the town hall which ranged from medieval animal bones which help archaeologists understand the diet of people from the area in this period, to a 1950s house slipper. 

They also got to see the progress to the site so far to better imagine the landscape of the area. 

Taking place over 13 weeks, the team at C1 engineering is now in week seven and has been working at uncovering ‘the star of the show’ that is the Weymouth Arms.

Constructed in 1800, it is believed the building was turned into a pub by the mid nineteenth century.

During the excavation so far, archaeologists on the site have unearthed well below the foundations of the pub, which means that the site the pub sits on was used earlier.

Further to this, stone-lined drains were found around the pub which could mean that the site dates to the late medieval or early post medieval period with evidence of occupation.

On Monday, October 30 the team found a series of evidence to suggest open fires known as hearths were found on the site.

Evidence from the battles of the Civil War have also been found on site as two cannonballs have been unearthed from the clay- with archaeologists suspecting a ball went through the roof of number 11.

The next phase of the project will see more of the Phoenix Water Companies warehouse dug up as well as old sub sections of the old road which will also be uncovered.

Work was halted on Thursday due to Storm Ciaran. Cheryl Green, who is co-director of the site said: “Sadly the rain has scuppered plans as when we started to excavate, the site filled up with water.

“We couldn’t come on site Thursday which has been the only day work has halted. Our volunteers have been amazing helping to pale out the water,” she added.

The Co-Director went on to say that the site is ‘everything they’ve dreamt and hoped for’ after finding evidence of medieval occupation.

Up to 70 volunteers have been helping on the site, with more applying to help out even since work has started.

Speaking about the popularity surrounding the open day, Richard McConnell site Director said: “I’m not surprised at the amazing turnout today. A social media post received 21,000 hits so we had a feeling it would be popular despite the heavy showers.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us and Dorset Council to show off the excavation so far and we have already realised the potential this site holds from the medieval period up to the 1950s,” he added.