Monument record MDO18582 - Alington Avenue Roman Pits and wells outside the D-shaped Enclosure

Evidence for Roman pits and wells outside the D-shaped enclosure was discovered during excavations at Alington Avenue. 7 pits or wells were recorded outside the D-shaped enclosure of varying shapes and dimensions. One [2869] appears to be a well. It lay some distance east of the D-shaped enclosure, in the NW corner of the smaller enclosure [4179]. It was only excavated to a depth of 3m for safety reasons. The only datable find was a BBW type 22 rim dated to AD 120-200. Shallow pit [1836] lay immediately to the west of drier [1856] in the eastern part of the excavation area. This rectangular pit measured 2.5m x 1.8m and 0.45m deep, with straight sides, slightly rounded corners and a flat base. Sub-rectangular pit [2548] and oval pit [3090] were located within building [1737].

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).

Three buildings with stone footings were revealed; two within the D-shaped enclosure [459] & [2126] and one just outside its eastern side [1737]. In addition there were several short lengths of wall, which may have belonged to other structures. Internal features were rare and there was little evidence for specific function. Furthermore, a series of post-hole structure were revealed within the enclosure with little or no dating evidence. It has been suggested on morphological grounds that they are late or post-Roman in date but it is possible that some may be contemporary with the stone-footed structures.

7 pits or wells were recorded outside the D-shaped enclosure of varying shapes and dimensions. One [2869] appears to be a well. It lay some distance east of the D-shaped enclosure, in the NW corner of the smaller enclosure [4179]. It was only excavated to a depth of 3m for safety reasons. The only datable find was a BBW type 22 rim dated to AD 120-200.

Shallow pit [1836] lay immediately to the west of drier [1856] in the eastern part of the excavation area. Whether the two features can be linked is a matter of speculation but their juxtaposition seems more than fortuitous. This rectangular pit measured 2.5m x 1.8m and 0.45m deep, with straight sides, slightly rounded corners and a flat base. Its fill was unique on the site, being a pure, clean yellowish-brown clay, with occasional fragments of limestone and chalk. Its function was not clear although it may have been designed to hold water or liquid.

Sub-rectangular pit [2548] and oval pit [3090] were located within building [1737]. [2548] measured 2m x 1m in plan and was 1.05m deep, it may date from the 3rd century. [3090] was 1.45m long, 0.9m wide and dated from the 3rd century or later.

Two further inter-cutting rectangular pits [2851] & [2853] were located near the NW corner of enclosure [4179] and possibly dated from the late 3rd-4th centuries.

<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 5:46PM