Monument record MDO18330 - 15 High West Street, Dorchester; Roman building remains

A series of floor surfaces and other remains of a probable Roman building were found during the evaluation of the rear of 15 High East, Street, Dorchester, carried out by AC archaeology in 1998. The small areas investigated and the depth and complexity of the stratigraphy make it difficult to determine the precise nature and number of structures present on the site. In Trial Pit 1 a sequence of three opus signinum floors on crushed mortar, tile and chalk bases were found, together with a possible robber trench. Significant quantities of painted wall plaster were recovered from the Trial Pit, including some sealed beneath the second opus signinum floor. In Trial Pit 2, the remains of a chalk floor and a possible wall robbing trench were found. The excavators suggested that at least two buildings were present, but it is unclear from the present evidence, what number of structures is represented by the floors. However, it is clear that these floors are internal surfaces within a building. The well-made character of the floors and the presence of painted wall plaster suggests they are part of a substantial domestic building. The associated pottery suggests a 2nd-3rd century AD date.

A series of floor surfaces and other remains of a probable Roman building were found during the evaluation of the rear of 15 High East, Street, Dorchester, carried out by AC archaeology in 1998. The small areas investigated and the depth and complexity of the stratigraphy make it difficult to determine the precise nature and number of structures present on the site.

In Trial Pit 1 a sequence of three opus signinum floors on crushed mortar, tile and chalk bases were found, together with a possible robber trench. The latest floor was sealed beneath a layer of demolition material, containing large quantities of mortar, flint, limestone and tile fragments. Significant quantities of painted wall plaster were recovered from the Trial Pit, including some sealed beneath the second opus signinum floor. The excavators suggested that at least two buildings were present, but it is unclear from the present evidence, what number of structures is represented by the floors. However, it is clear that these floors are internal surfaces within a building. The well-made character of the floors and the presence of painted wall plaster suggests they are part of a substantial domestic building. The associated pottery suggests a 2nd-3rd century AD date.

In Trial Pit 2, the remains of a chalk floor and a possible wall robbing trench were found. It is possible that these remains represent another room within the same building as found in Trial Pit 1.

Valentin, J, 1998, An Archaeological Evaluation of a Proposed Development to the Rear of 15 High East Street, Dorchester: Summary report (Unpublished document). SDO9473.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 7:29PM