Monument record MDO18406 - Poundbury Late Roman Structure R14

A Late Roman structure was discovered during excavations on site C at Poundbury, Dorchester. Lying to the north of contemporary structures R12 and R13, together with which it forms the northern wing of a courtyard arrangement, one of the major elements in the later phase of the pre-cemetery settlement on site C. R14 was smaller than R13, measuring 5.18 x 2.74m and aligned E-W. However, only the foundations of the western wall and parts of the southern and northern walls survived. No trace of foundation survived on the eastern side of the structure, although a patch of chalk floor 4.75m from the western walls suggests that the building extended that far. Three or four courses of mortared flints survived in the west wall. The destruction layers contained evidence for cob walls and limestone tiled roof, and pottery of the 3rd-4th centuries. The floor consisted of patches of chalk or the decayed top of the natural chalk surface. Two shallow pits and two possible metal working hearths occupied the southern half of the interior. A stone-footed rectangular building (Structure R14) was found on Site C, to the north of contemporary buildings R12 and R13, during the 1966-1979 excavations at Poundbury. The walls were of mortared flint, probably forming sleeper walls with cob walls above and possibly a stone roof. No east side to this building was found and it may have been open on this side. Traces of a chalk floor survived in places but elsewhere the trampled surface of the decayed bedrock appeared to have served as a floor. Two pits and two smithing hearths were found within this building, together with quantities of ash and fragments of scrap iron and hammerscale, suggesting this building was used for smithing . Late 3rd-4th century AD finds were found associated with this building. Structure R14 was one of three late Roman buildings (along with R12 and R13) 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).

Structure R14 was a rectangular stone-footed building, found on Site C, just to the north of contemporary structures R12 and R13. Traces of the walls were found on all but the eastern side, which may have been open. This structure was at least 5.2m by over 4.6m across. The walls comprised mortared flint set directly on the natural chalk. There was some indications that the walls may have been of cob with a limestone tile roof. On the southern and eastern sides of the interior traces of a chalk floor survived; elsewhere the trampled surface of the decayed bedrock served as a floor.

The southern half of the interior was largely taken up by four features; two shallow pits [C50, C195] and two limestone hearths [C151, C236]. Pit [C150] was a shallow oval depression which contained 3rd-4th century AD pottery (including a vessel that dates from the 2nd quarter of the 4th century at the earliest) and part of a bucket fitting, an iron chain and swivel link, and lengths of bar and nail making rod. Pit [C195] had been disturbed by later graves but contained a lower fill mainly of ash and charcoal and it contained two late 3rd century coins, another iron rod, as well as part of the same mid-4th century vessel found in pit [C150]. The two possible metalworking hearths both consisted of irregular limestone platforms blackened by burning and sealed with ashy soil. [C151] was an irregular circle of flat slabs approximately 0.6m in diameter. [C236] was smaller with a single slab bordered on the SW side by three smaller upright slabs. The use of the hearths for iron working is supported not only by the metal finds in the vicinity but also by hammerscale on the floor. Further iron objects and fragments of whetstone were recovered from the graves cutting the building. An Iron Age wrought iron male figure, was also found in this building.

Building R14 was built over some Late Iron Age/early Roman graves, which give a terminus post quem of the late 2nd century AD for its construction. The material from within the building and the overlying destruction levels suggest that it was in use during the late 3rd-4th century AD.

<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