Monument record MDO18662 - Library Site, Colliton Park, Dorchester; Roman Ovens 3 and 4

Ovens 3 & 4 were two of eight ovens found during the excavations on the site of the new Dorset County Library, Colliton Park, Dorchester in 1961-63. Ovens 3 and 4 lay within Building 5 and both were probably used during the life of this building. Oven 4 was constructed of limestone in chalky mortar and was built against the north wall of Building 5. There was some burning evident on the flints of the wall of Building 5 adjacent to the oven. The western part of the oven was cut away by the construction of Oven 3. This had an oval oven constructed of limestone in chalky mortar with a firing floor to the south. The firing floor cut the remains of the south wall of Building 3. The dating of Building 5 suggests these ovens were dated to the later 4th century AD.

Ovens 3 & 4 were two of eight ovens found during the excavations on the site of the new Dorset County Library, Colliton Park, Dorchester in 1961-63 (1) (2). Ovens 3 and 4 lay within Building 5 and both were probably used during the life of this building. Oven 4 was constructed of limestone in chalky mortar and was built against the north wall of Building 5. There was some burning evident on the flints of the wall of Building 5 adjacent to the oven. The western part of the oven was cut away by the construction of Oven 3. This had an oval oven constructed of limestone in chalky mortar with a firing floor to the south. The firing floor cut the remains of the south wall of Building 3. The dating of Building 5 suggests these ovens were dated to the later 4th century AD.

<1> Aitken, G, and Aitken, N, 1982, 'Excavations on the Library Site, Colliton Park, Dorchester' Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 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 7:31PM