Monument record MDO18405 - Poundbury Late Roman Structure R13

The eastern side of a stone-footed rectangular building (Structure R13) was found at the southern end of Site C during the 1966-1979 excavations at Poundbury. The footings were of rammed flint and near the northeastern corner, the foundation had been mortared and a single course of the overlying mortared flint and limestone wall survived. The only flooring consisted of scattered patches of yellow mortar, elsewhere it appeared the natural chalk acted as a surface. Three pits were set in a line along the length of the building and an area of burning on the floor surface was found at the north end. Late 3rd-4th century AD finds were found associated with this building. The destruction layer overlying building R13 contained lias limestone roof tiles and an accumulation of fine soil possibly derived from cob walling. There was no clear evidence for the function of Structure R13, but the rough flooring may suggest it was an industrial or agricultural building, rather than a dwelling. Structure R13 was one of three late Roman buildings (along with R12 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 eastern part of a rectangular building (Structure R13) was found at the southern end of Site C. It measured about 8.2m long and over 3m wide. It was comprised of rammed flint footings 0.3m deep. Near the northeastern corner, the foundation had been mortared and a single course of the overlying mortared flint and limestone wall survived. The eastern wall foundation cut a small pit containing 3rd century pottery suggesting a late 3rd century date for the construction of R13. Inside the building, the only flooring consisted of scattered patches of yellow mortar, elsewhere the decayed top of the natural chalk acted as a surface. There was little accumulation of occupation debris above this floor. Three pits were set in a line along the length of the building just east of centre. An area of burning on the floor surface occupied a space for a fourth, at the north end. The pits measured upwards from 0.51 x 0.3m and 0.15m deep and contained some mortar and lias tile fragments but no dateable finds, although one pit [C157] did contain a near complete indented beaker. Late 3rd-4th century pottery was recovered from the floor surface along with a rod of iron, possibly used for making nails. Similar rods were found in occupation layers outside the structure and within structure R14.

The destruction layer overlying this building contained lias limestone roof tiles and an accumulation of fine soil possibly derived from cob walling. Pottery from the destruction layer suggests a late 3rd –4th century date for the abandonment of the building. The destruction levels had been cut by late Roman graves.

Structure R13 was one of three late Roman buildings (along with R12 and R14) in this area, possibly arranged around an open courtyard and forming a small settlement unit. There was no clear evidence for the function of Structure R13, but the rough flooring may suggest it was an industrial or agricultural building, rather than a dwelling.

<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