Monument record MDO18668 - Library Site, Colliton Park, Dorchester; Roman Pit N

Pit N was found during the excavations on the site of the new Dorset County Library, Colliton Park, Dorchester in 1961-63. Pit N was a rectangular pit measuring 1.3m by 1.7m across to the west of Building 5. It had a shallow semi-circular scoop on the northern side. There was some cobbling round this pit and several postholes, which might suggest a superstructure. This pit may have been a well. It was over 6m deep and was not fully excavated. There was a high proportion of dark ashy soil in this pit, together with large quantities of building rubble, pottery, animal bone, etc. The pottery suggests this pit/well was filled in c. AD350. The rubble may have come from the clearance of Building 3, prior to the construction of Building 5.

Pit N was found during the excavations on the site of the new Dorset County Library, Colliton Park, Dorchester in 1961-63 (1) (2). Pit N was a rectangular pit measuring 1.3m by 1.7m across to the west of Building 5. It had a shallow semi-circular scoop on the northern side. There was some cobbling round this pit and several postholes, which might suggest a superstructure. This pit may have been a well. It was over 6m deep and was not fully excavated. There was a high proportion of dark ashy soil in this pit, together with large quantities of building rubble, pottery, animal bone, etc. The pottery suggests this pit/well was filled in c. AD350. The rubble may have come from the clearance of Building 3, prior to the construction of Building 5.

<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