Monument record MDO18651 - Library Site, Colliton Park, Dorchester; Roman Road 2

A Roman road running N-S was found during excavations on the site of the new Dorset County Library, Colliton Park, Dorchester in 1961-63, where it was numbered Road 2. It was immediately to the west of, and broadly parallel to, Road 1 within the area of the excavation. Road 2 was built directly on top of the natural chalk and was constructed from flint gravel. There was no sign of wear on this road, which was sealed by a layer of sandy clay containing late 1st-early 2nd century AD coins. A second phase of road construction overlay this clay layer, slightly to the east of the earlier phase. This second phase of road did not have much sign of rutting and wear either. The first phase of Road 2 was probably constructed in the 1st century and went out of use in the late 1st or early 2nd century. It may have been in use at the same time as Road 1, but the second phase of Road 2 may have been used after Road 1 went out of use. The date at which Road 2 went out of use is not clear.

A Roman road running N-S was found during excavations on the site of the new Dorset County Library, Colliton Park, Dorchester in 1961-63, where it was numbered Road 2 (1). It was immediately to the west of, and broadly parallel to, Road 1 within the area of the excavation.

Road 2 was built directly on top of the natural chalk and was constructed from flint gravel. There was no sign of wear on this road, which was sealed by a layer of sandy clay containing late 1st-early 2nd century AD coins. A second phase of road construction overlay this clay layer, slightly to the east of the earlier phase. This second phase of road did not have much sign of rutting and wear either.

The first phase of Road 2 was probably constructed in the 1st century and went out of use in the late 1st or early 2nd century. It may have been in use at the same time as Road 1, but the second phase of Road 2 may have been used after Road 1 went out of use. The date at which Road 2 went out of use is not clear (2).

<1> Aitken, G, and Aitken, N, 1982, 'Excavations on the Library Site, Colliton Park, Dorchester' Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 99-100 (Article in serial). SDO9729.

<2> Draper, J, 1983, 'Some further discussion of the Library Site, Colliton Park, Dorchester' Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 157-159 (Article in serial). SDO10071.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 7:30PM