Monument record MDO18375 - Poundbury Early Roman Structure R18

An Early Roman structure was discovered during excavations on site E at Poundbury, Dorchester. Lying to the south of contemporary structure R21, it consisted of 24 post holes forming a 12 or 14 post rectangular structure, several posts having been reset during the lifetime of the building. The building measured approximately 4.5m x 6m with pairs of main roof supports set at regular intervals. A pair of posts at the east end suggest an entrance here, and the building stood in a 0.23m deep terrace. A rough chalk floor had been laid on the northern side. The superstructure was probably composed entirely of organic materials. Three infant burials occurred in the area of the building and an external oval pit may have contained the destroyed remains of a hearth.

Found during the excavations directed by Christopher Sparey Green, for the Dorchester Excavation Committee, between 1966 and 1979 during development of the Grove Trading Estate on the eastern slopes of Poundbury Camp, Dorchester (1). The numbers in square brackets below refer to the context and feature numbers used in the published report and archive (2) (3).

Early Roman Structure R18 was terraced into the hillslope to the east of Poundbury Camp, on Site E. It was constructed in the same area as the earlier Late Iron Age settlement. R18 was a rectangular post-built structure measuring about 4.5m by 6m. There was a suggestion of an entrance at the eastern end. Several posts had been replacedt during the building’s life. On the southern and western sides, the natural chalk surface appeared to have served as the floor, but on the north side a rough chalk surface had been laid over the terrace of the earlier Late Iron Age houses IA2 and IA10. Small fragments of Roman tile and 1st-2nd century AD Samian pottery had been incorporated into this floor layer and patches of yellow mortar were found on top.

A layer of occupation material was found within this building, which produced some pottery and glass and a brooch dated to the late 1st-early 2nd century AD. Further patches of mortar were found over this occupation layer. Another brooch of late 1st/early 2nd century AD date was found in a feature cut by one of the postholes, giving a terminus post quem for construction in the late 1st-early 2nd century AD. There was very little building material present, suggesting the superstructure consisted of organic materials, cob and possibly daub. The overlying soil that accumulated after the building went out of use also contained material of late 1st-early 2nd century date, perhaps suggesting a fairly short life for this building. The molluscan fauna associated with this building was typical of open country.

Three infant burials [1375, 1377, 1380] were found within this building and an external oval pit [E609] outside the north wall may have contained burnt clay debris, perhaps the destroyed remains of a hearth.

Early Roman building R18 was probably contemporary with the adjacent structure R21 and oven [E181] and formed part of a small early Roman unenclosed settlement, on the site of the earlier Late Iron Age settlement.

<1> Sparey Green, C, 1987, Excavations at Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset 1966-1982. Volume 1: The Settlements (Monograph). SDO9630.

<2> Sparey Green, C, 1966-1979, Poundbury, Grove Trading Estate, Dorchester (Excavation archive). SDO10096.

Record last edited

Jul 26 2010 6:56AM