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REAL HISTORY: Susann Palmer, left, and Denene Reilly from the Association of Portland Archaeology with guests F6206

ROYAL Manor Arts College head boy and girl Nathan Duncan and Sally Way unveiled a plaque to mark the Romano-British site at Weston Road, Portland.

The site was discovered in 2004 when work was started on the college playing field and the Association for Portland Archaeology (APA), with support from a number of agencies and a Heritage Lottery Grant, carried out excavations in 2005-2006.

Among those present at the plaque ceremony were John Gale, head of archaeology at Bournemouth University, county archaeologist Steve Wallis, Andy Price, Dorset County Council's chief planning officer, Simon Williams, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's planning manager and Paul Green, headteacher of the college.

Mrs Susann Palmer, director of APA, said that the site, which is now covered, had revealed more than had first been expected. She said: "We found that it was choc-a-bloc with archaeological finds dating from Mesolithic times and besides evidence of Iron Age burials, the pottery and other artefacts show that it was inhabitated by rich people in Roman and Medieval times."

Mr Price paid tribute to the APA's work, and said that while it was being carried out it gave people the chance to see the archaeology of Portland.

Mr Gale said that the work had been exceptional and that Bournemouth University was pleased to support it.

Mr Williams considered that the work carried out capped' that of the Culverwell Mesolithic site and all present agreed that the discovery and excavation of the Romano-British site has put Portland on the map.

11:26am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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