Monument record MDO18617 - Roman defences at Colliton Park, Dorchester

Three sections were cut through the Roman rampart at Colliton Park during excavations in 1938. One section was across the west rampart, one across the north rampart and the third was at the angle between the two. These revealed that the rampart was composed of bands of chalk and loam, which survived about 24m wide and 3.6m high. There is some evidence for a primary rampart, later enlarged by the addition of a secondary bank of chalk to the rear. The western cutting revealed the footings of the Roman town wall, which survive as a flint footing 2.5m wide cut into the bank material. No trace of the wall was found in the northern cuttings. The upper part of the rampart had been landscaped in the 18th century when the walks were created. There was no dating evidence recovered for the primary bank phase and very scanty pottery dating evidence for the secondary rampart, which suggests that it was constructed in the 4th century.

Three sections were cut through the Roman rampart at Colliton Park during excavations in 1938. Due to the outbreak of World War II, the excavations were never completed or written up. The following account is based on the interim report (1) and the Royal Commission Inventory entry (2). One section was across the west rampart, one across the north rampart and the third was at the angle between the two.

An almost complete section was cut through the western rampart. This revealed that the rampart was composed of bands of chalk and loam, which survived about 24m wide and 3.6m high. This section suggests that there is a primary rampart of chalk and loam 15m wide. This was later enlarged by the addition of a secondary bank of chalk to the rear, enlarging the width of the rampart to 24m and overlying the footings of Building VII. The western cutting revealed the footings of the Roman town wall, which survive as a flint footing 2.5m wide, which were cut into the bank material. The upper part of the rampart had been landscaped in the 18th century when the walks were created.

The northern cutting revealed that the rampart was of a similar character and survived 2.5m high. It also produced evidence for a primary bank and secondary enlargement. No trace of a masonry wall was found in this cutting. The prominent crest to the bank on the northern side appears to be the result of 18th century landscaping.

The NW cutting was excavated to attempt to find out if there was a corner tower to the defences – none was found, nor was there any trace of the Roman town wall.

There was no dating evidence recovered for the primary bank phase and very scanty pottery dating evidence for the secondary rampart, which suggests that it was constructed in the 4th century (RCHME p543).

National Monuments Record, NMR Monument Record, SY 69 SE 323 (Index). SDO9937.

Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1937-1938, Colliton Park, Dorchester (Excavation archive). SDO10066.

<1> Drew, C D, and Collingwood Selby, K C, 1938, 'The Excavations at Colliton Park, Dorchester: Second Interim report; Excavations carried out in the season of 1938' Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 62-65 (Article in serial). SDO9765.

<2> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England), 1970, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 2, p547 no.174a (Monograph). SDO149.

Record last edited

Jan 24 2025 11:19AM