Monument record MDO18591 - Trumpet Major II, Alington Avenue, Dorchester; Late Iron Age/ Early Roman activity

Evidence for Late Iron Age/ Early activity was discovered during the small-scale excavations at Trumpet Major II. This comprised a shallow scoop with associated ‘postholes’ and two possible pits containing 1st century BC/AD pottery. The precise nature of this activity is difficult to determine over such a small area, but it is perhaps related to the contemporary settlement revealed at Flagstones, to the east.

Found during a small-scale excavations conducted by Wessex Archaeology on the site of an extension to the Trumpet Major Public House in 1987 (1) (2). The numbers in square brackets below refer to the context and feature numbers used in the published report (1).

Several features were discovered which appeared to date from the early 1st century AD or earlier: a shallow scoop [028] and associated post-holes, and two possible pits [061] and [088].

Scoop [028]was only partially exposed in the excavation trench and was about 0.13m deep, filled with chalky loam. Three oval ‘postholes’, up to 0.7m across and between 0.18m and 0.2m deep, were cut into the base of the scoop. The feature was truncated by modern landscaping and its function is unknown. Dating was limited to a small quantity of 1st century BC/AD coarseware pottery. Pit [061] lay to the southeast and had been partially truncated by a sewer pipe. Only its two uppermost fills were excavated because of space restrictions. The top layer contained a high proportion of burnt material and ash, as well as Late Iron Age pottery dating from the 1st century BC. A further possible pit [088] containing pre-Roman pottery in its uppermost layer was recorded, but not excavated.

The restricted area exposed makes the interpretation of this Late Iron Age/ Early Roman activity difficult. However, further evidence for contemporary settlement has been found to the east at Flagstones and in earlier investigations on the site (1).

<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> Graham, A H, 1987, 'Archaeological Excavations at The Trumpet Major, Dorchester, Dorset' Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society (Article in serial). SDO9663.

Record last edited

Jan 12 2007 12:29PM