Monument record MDO18556 - Alington Avenue Roman drier 070

Evidence for a Roman drier was discovered during excavations at Alington Avenue. Drier [070] was located some 20m east of building [1737] within evaluation Trench H. It was broadly oval in plan, with a central V-shaped flue edged by 0.4m wide ledges, and an eastern stoke hole. The central flue was 0.9m deep; overall length was c.4m and maximum width was 1.8m. There was very slight evidence for a limestone lining, and although there was a thin lens of charcoal on the base, it was far less substantial than in other driers. The drier had been deliberately levelled through the dumping of clean clay. No dating evidence was recovered.

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).

Seven ovens and driers were found, one [070] during the 1984 evaluation, three within the D-shaped enclosure or its extensions, and four outside its boundaries, including one described within building [1737]. Most of these structures (except [4250] which was cut by a late Roman grave) have been dated to the late Roman period, although the dating evidence has largely come from layers relating to backfill and disuse.

Drier [070] was located some 20m east of building [1737] within evaluation Trench H. It was broadly oval in plan, with a central V-shaped flue edged by 0.4m wide ledges, and an eastern stoke hole. The central flue was 0.9m deep; overall length was c.4m and maximum width was 1.8m. There was very slight evidence for a limestone lining, and although there was a thin lens of charcoal on the base, it was far less substantial than in other driers. The drier had been deliberately levelled through the dumping of clean clay. No dating evidence was recovered.

<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

Dec 12 2018 5:45PM