Monument record MDO18549 - Alington Avenue Post-Roman Fenced Enclosures

Evidence for Post-Roman fenced enclosures was discovered during excavations at Alington Avenue. In addition to the Post-Roman post-built structures, there were several other small groups and lines of post-holes recorded, which are best understood if considered together. The majority were to the south and west of building [4435] and can be divided into three groups. The first group is associated with structure [4414] & [4415] and forms a pair of post-hole alignments more or less parallel to the east and west sides of structure [4414], together with several post-holes to the north of structure [4415]. This group seems to represent a fence line between the two structures, which forms the western boundary of the entire Post-Roman complex. The second group comprises post-holes associated with and to the south and west of structure [4435]. A line of post-holes runs for 13.7m north westwards from and along the northern wall of [4435]. In the area to the south of building [4435] three discontinuous, parallel lines of post-holes were spaced 6.4m, 10.5m and 8.2m apart, with a further discontinuous line on a slightly different alignment 8m further south. These alignments all terminated on the same line, 11.5m west of [4414], and were joined by another line of post-holes at right angles to them. The third group lay in the area between [4431] & [1234]. Here a small number of post-holes formed a few short alignments. There is no dating evidence available for any of these post-hole alignments.

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.

In addition to the Post-Roman post-built structures, there were several other small groups and lines of post-holes recorded, which are best understood if considered together. The majority were to the south and west of building [4435] and can be divided into three groups.

The first group is associated with structure [4414] & [4415] and forms a pair of post-hole alignments more or less parallel to the east and west sides of structure [4414], together with several post-holes to the north of structure [4415]. This group seems to represent a fence line between the two structures, which forms the western boundary of the entire Post-Roman complex.

The second group comprises post-holes associated with and to the south and west of structure [4435]. A line of post-holes runs for 13.7m north westwards from and along the northern wall of [4435]. In the area to the south of building [4435] three discontinuous, parallel lines of post-holes were spaced 6.4m, 10.5m and 8.2m apart, with a further discontinuous line on a slightly different alignment 8m further south. These alignments all terminated on the same line, 11.5m west of [4414], and were joined by another line of post-holes at right angles to them. No corresponding ‘closure’ was found on the east side of this area, but there was a suggestion that there was another post-hole alignment running NE from structure [4437/8]

The third group lay in the area between [4431] & [1234]. Here a small number of post-holes formed a few short alignments. To the south of building [4431] was a line of three post-holes which lined up with one of the southernmost alignments described above, continuing this line towards the SW corner of building [1234]. About 7m north of this were two post-holes which appeared to continue the line of the next fence-line to the north. At right angles to these was the trace of another line of post-holes running 2.5m east of building [4431].

There is no dating evidence available for any of these post-hole alignments.

<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.

Record last edited

Aug 29 2024 12:32PM