Monument record MDO18656 - Library Site, Colliton Park, Dorchester; Roman Building 2

The remains of a stone-footed building were found butted against the south side of Building 1 in the east part of the excavations on the site of the new Dorset County Library, Colliton Park, Dorchester in 1961-63. Part of the stone footings on the north, west and south sides were exposed, but no trace of the east wall was found and it may have been open. It appears to have had a chalk floor. No internal divisions were recognised and it may have been used as an industrial building or a warehouse. An oven (Oven 2) was found within the area of this building, but its relationship to it is unclear. It may have been in use late in the life of the building or may post-date it.

The remains of a stone-footed building were found butted against the south side of Building 1 in the east part of the excavations on the site of the new Dorset County Library, Colliton Park, Dorchester in 1961-63 (1) (2). Building 2 was a probably rectangular building, partially within the exavated area. The north, west and part of the south wall were exposed. No trace of the east wall was found and it may have been open. A single posthole and a line of stakeholes were found along the presumed line of the east wall. The building measured about 8m by 6m and was butted up to the SW corner of Building 1, at right angles to it. Only the footings of this building survived; these were of flint set in chalk. A number of chalk spreads were found within this building, presumably the remains of the floor. No internal divisions were recognised. It may have been used as an industrial building or a warehouse. An oven (Oven 2) was found within the area of this building, but its relationship to it is unclear. The excavators state that the walls of Building 2 overlay part of the firing floor of this oven, but pottery from the oven suggest it was in use in the late 3rd/early 4th century. It may have been in use late in the life of the building or may post-date it (2).

No dating evidence for the period of construction of the building was obtained, but it appears to have gone out of use in the early 4th century.

<1> Aitken, G, and Aitken, N, 1982, 'Excavations on the Library Site, Colliton Park, Dorchester' Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 97 (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, 158 (Article in serial). SDO10071.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 7:30PM