Monument record MDO18557 - Alington Avenue Roman drier 1286

Evidence for a Roman drier was discovered during excavations at Alington Avenue. Drier [1286] lay in the eastern extension to the excavation area, close to the modern road and drier [1856], just north of the small enclosure [4179]. It comprised a 3.15m sub-square pit 0.3-0.4m deep, with a more or less rectangular extension (the stoke hole) placed centrally on its west side, 2m long and 1-1.15m wide and the same depth as the main pit. In the centre of the main pit a plinth of natural chalk, 1.15m across, had been left to form a column within the drying chamber allowing the hot air to circulate. There was very slight evidence for a stone lining at the neck of the flue, but no sign of burning or scorching was apparent, and charcoal layers were absent, the feature being infilled with chalky loam. This might suggest that the drier was not often used. A similar drier from Woodcuts has been dated to the 4th century AD.

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 [1286] lay in the eastern extension to the excavation area, close to the modern road and drier [1856], just north of the small enclosure [4179]. It comprised a 3.15m sub-square pit 0.3-0.4m deep, with a more or less rectangular extension (the stoke hole) placed centrally on its west side, 2m long and 1-1.15m wide and the same depth as the main pit. In the centre of the main pit a plinth of natural chalk, 1.15m across, had been left to form a column within the drying chamber allowing the hot air to circulate. There was very slight evidence for a stone lining at the neck of the flue, but no sign of burning or scorching was apparent, and charcoal layers were absent, the feature being infilled with chalky loam. This might suggest that the drier was not often used. A similar drier from Woodcuts has been dated to the 4th century AD.

<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