Monument record MDO18424 - Poundbury Middle Bronze Age Structure BA2

Evidence for a Middle Bronze Age structure, was discovered during excavations at Poundbury. It was a rectangular structure defined by a row of four post holes on the west side and a foundation trench with a series of shallow post-sockets in its base on the east side. This structure was superimposed upon the remains of the similar rectangular Middle Bronze Age Structure BA1. No occupation deposits were identified associated with this structure. This structure lay adjacent to the contemporary structure BA3, within the Bronze Age enclosure system.

Middle Bronze Age Structure BA2 was found on Poundbury Site C during the excavations directed by Christopher Sparey Green, for the Dorchester Excavation Committee, between 1966 and 1980, 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 (1).

Structure BA2 was found near the eastern end of Site C and was in the same location as Structure BA1. It consisted of a row of four post-holes on its west side [C259-262], and trench [C202] on the east, suggesting a rectangular structure 4.6m wide and 6.4m long, with a floor area of 29.4m2. Modern disturbance had removed part of its southern end. The foundation trench [C202] had a U-profile, with a series of shallow post-sockets or impressions in its base. There was some suggestion that there were postpipes with flint packing in the fill of the trench. These post pipes were paired with the four post-holes to the west. Two of the post-holes are double, suggesting replacement.

The difference in construction method between east and west walls is possibly explained by variations in the natural; the shallower, separate posts were cut into relatively solid chalk, whereas the trench built foundations were cut into chalk overlain by brown loam and flint. Alternatively the west wall may have been open.

Foundation trench [C202] seems to cut that of the Middle Bronze Age structure BA1. Structure BA2 appears to be a replacement on the same site, of Middle Bronze Age Structure BA1. It lay adjacent to the contemporary structure BA3, within the Bronze Age enclosure system.

There were no occupation deposits within BA2 but artefacts were recovered from foundation trenches and post-holes produced globular urn sherds (some of which were residual and conjoined with sherds from structure BA1), fragments of cylindrical clay weight, part of a crucible, a bone handle of uncertain use and a rubbing stone.

<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

Feb 15 2007 10:43AM