EDO5015 - Old Rectory Stables, Princes Street, Dorchester; observations and recording 1999

Slight remains of a Roman building were observed and recorded by Laurence Keen during the construction of a chapel of rest in the former Old Rectory Stables, Princes Street, Dorchester in November 1999. The works included the construction of a small extension to the rear and the construction of a new south boundary wall to the property. In the southeast corner of the area, beneath the south boundary wall and at the southeast corner of the new extension, the remains of a probable Roman wall footing were exposed. This wall comprised stone and flint rubble in a sandy ginger mortar and was aligned roughly N-S. It measured about 0.75m wide and survived at the same level as the chalk bedrock. Above this wall was a layer of robbing debris. On the eastern side of the wall a small area of opus signinum floor was exposed. It is likely that this floor is associated with the wall. A small deposit of occupation debris survived over the floor. Over most of the area the natural chalk was found at about one metre below the existing ground surface. This was directly sealed by modern deposits containing 19th century finds. No Roman finds were noted.