Medieval secrets unearthed beneath a Weymouth bowling alley site

A former bowling alley site in Weymouth, Dorset, has become the focus of a major archaeological dig. Researchers have uncovered medieval walls, coins, pottery, and personal items dating back over 700 years. The findings promise to reveal new details about life in the town before and after the Black Death. The excavation has already exposed the remains of three 13th-century houses and their surrounding plots. Among the discoveries are early cold stores, roof tiles, and everyday objects that offer clues about daily life in medieval Weymouth. Historic records indicate the Black Death reached the area in 1348, killing roughly half the population.

A team from the University of Southampton will soon assist by collecting soil samples for disease analysis. Their work aims to uncover traces of pathogens that may have affected the town’s residents. Meanwhile, the artefacts will be carefully cleaned, studied, and later displayed at Dorset Museum.

The dig, expected to last six weeks, opened to the public for free last Saturday. After the excavation concludes, the site will temporarily serve as a car park. Dorset councillor Richard Biggs highlighted the project’s importance in helping locals connect with their history. The artefacts and soil samples will provide a clearer picture of medieval Weymouth’s challenges and daily routines. Once analysed, the finds will go on public display, giving residents and visitors a tangible link to the town’s past. The dig’s results may also shed light on how diseases like the Black Death shaped the community.