Monument record MDO18544 - Alington Avenue Post-Roman Building 4414

Evidence for a Post-Roman building was discovered during excavations at Alington Avenue. Rectangular structure [4414] was aligned approximately NE-SW and measured 11m x 4.5m, giving an internal area of 43.2m2. It was comprised of 10 post-hole set in pairs forming the sides of the building. There was a single central post-hole in the southern gable end of the building but no opposing post at the north end. This end may have been open or the post-hole may have been destroyed. The post-holes averaged 0.5m diameter and 0.1m deep with chalk free central post-pipes. This structure had no secure artefact dating evidence, although it may have been broadly contemporary with a group of nearby 3rd century burials. Its ground plan is similar to building [571] from County Hall, Dorchester, consisting of two square units and may be post-Roman in date.

Found during a series of archaeological evaluations and excavations conducted by Wessex Archaeology at Alington Avenue, Fordington, Dorchester, between 1984-1987. The results of the excavations have been published as a Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society Monograph (DNHAS Monograph 15). The numbers in square brackets below refer to the context and feature numbers used in the published reports (1).

A spread of post-holes recorded across the centre of the site could be resolved into a small number of rectangular structures and alignments, all roughly parallel to the latest phase of Roman ditched boundaries. These structures were post-built with no surviving floor surfaces rendering the interpretation of their plans uncertain. There was only one clear building plan [1234] in the eastern end of the site and at least three other rectangular structures further to the west. The remaining post-hole alignments can be best understood as the vestiges of contemporary fence-lines. A possible sunken featured building [752] may also have been contemporary. Most finds were residual or intrusive but stratigraphical relationships suggest that these structures were relatively late in the site sequence. The buildings probably relate to a later land allotment system, which is either very late or post-Roman in date.

Rectangular structure [4414] was aligned approximately NE-SW and measured 11m x 4.5m, giving an internal area of 43.2m2. It was comprised of 10 post-hole set in pairs forming the sides of the building. There was a single central post-hole in the southern gable end of the building but no opposing post at the north end. This end may have been open or the post-hole may have been destroyed. The post-holes averaged 0.5m diameter and 0.1m deep with chalk free central post-pipes.

Extending north eastwards from [4414] a number of small post and stake-holes may indicate a contemporary fence line.

This structure had no secure artefact dating evidence, although it may have been broadly contemporary with a group of nearby 3rd century burials. Its ground plan is similar to building [571] from County Hall, Dorchester, consisting of two square units and may be post-Roman in date. <1>

Early Mediaeval corn driers and evidence of two post-built timber buildings were discovered during excavations at Alington Avenue in 1984-7. <2>

<1> Davies, S M, Bellamy, P S , Heaton, M J , and Woodward, P J, 2002, Excavations at Alington Avenue, Fordington, Dorchester, Dorset, 1984-87 (Monograph). SDO9565.

<2> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1147977 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 14 2024 3:52PM