Monument record MDO18404 - Poundbury Late Roman Structure R12

The corner of a probably stone-footed rectangular building (Structure R12) was found at the southern end of Site C during the 1966-1979 excavations at Poundbury. The shallow footings were of flint and limestone rubble, but it had been partly robbed. No trace of floors or occupation deposits were found. Fragments of red painted wall plaster were found within the remains of the building, presumably from the collapsed superstructure. Deposits dating from the 2nd-4th century AD were found immediately outside this building and were possibly contemporary with the building. No certain evidence of its function was recovered, though if the painted wall plaster may suggest a domestic function. Structure R12 was one of three late Roman buildings (along with R13 and R14) in this area, possibly arranged around an open courtyard and forming a small settlement unit.

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 (1)(2).

The corner of a probably rectangular building (Structure R12) was found at the southern end of Site C. It comprised the northwest corner of the structure, which survived as larger blocks of limestone marking the corner with irregular flint and limestone rubble footings forming the west wall. The north wall was marked by a robber trench [C153]. No trace of flooring or occupation deposits were found within the small amount of the interior that was exposed. Fragments of red painted wall plaster were found against the corner stone, presumably remnants of the collapsed superstructure.

An occupation layer on the NW side of Structure R12 produced a range of finds including pottery from the 2nd –4th centuries AD. Similar deposits were found in a shallow scoop [C152] on the NE side of the building, perhaps suggesting this structure was occupied during this period. No certain evidence for the function of this building was recovered, though if the painted wall plaster was derived from this building, then perhaps a domestic function can be inferred.

Structure R12 was one of three late Roman buildings (along with R13 and R14) in this area, possibly arranged around an open courtyard and forming a small settlement unit. Structure R12 appears to have been robbed early in the post-Roman period since the robber trench was cut by part of the post-Roman enclosure system (1).

<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

Aug 3 2010 5:25PM