Monument record MDO18659 - Library Site, Colliton Park, Dorchester; Roman Building 5

A stone-footed rectangular building was found aligned N-S, built across the remains of Building 3, in the west part of the excavations on the site of the new Dorset County Library, Colliton Park, Dorchester in 1961-63. This rectangular building had no apparent internal division, and was constructed of mortared flint and limestone walls over footings of flint set in chalk. There were slots set into the internal face of the west wall, possibly for timber uprights, but the eastern wall had been almost completely robbed out. This building was constructed over the top of Pit K, Oven 8 and the southern end of Building 3. No definite floor surfaces were recognised, but two ovens (Ovens 3 and 4) may have been in use within this building, but no other evidence of the function of this building was obtained. Pit K was backfilled c. AD350, suggesting Building 5 was constructed in the second half of the 4th century.

A stone-footed rectangular building was found aligned N-S, built across the remains of Building 3 in the west part of the excavations on the site of the new Dorset County Library, Colliton Park, Dorchester in 1961-63 (1) (2). Building 5 measured about 10m by 7.5m across, with no apparent internal division, and was constructed of mortared flint and limestone walls over footings of flint set in chalk. There were slots set into the internal face of the west wall, possibly for timber uprights, but the eastern wall had been almost completely robbed out. This building was constructed over the top of Pit K, Oven 8 and the southern end of Building 3. No definite floor surfaces were recognised, but two ovens (Ovens 3 and 4) may have been in use within this building, but no other evidence of the function of this building was obtained.

Pit K was backfilled c. AD350, suggesting Building 5 was constructed in the second half of the 4th century (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, 102-104 (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