Monument record MDO18721 - A37 Western Link; Early Roman Features in the North of Trench K

Evidence for a group of Early Roman features was discovered during excavations along the route of the Dorchester By-pass, Western Link. A group of features, on the upper terrace in the north of Trench K, is tentatively assigned to this period on ceramic and stratigraphic grounds. Only a few of them were examined in detail. Sub-circular pit [827] was clay lined, 1.85m in diameter, 0.5m deep with steep sides and a flat base. 273 sherds of Black Burnished Ware were recovered of 1st-2nd century date. Items of personal jewellery were also found. To the east of the pit, an irregular feature [841] was partially excavated. It was 1.8m wide with irregular sides, 0.35m deep and filled with dark brown loam. 55 sherds of 2nd century Black Burnished Ware were recovered. A number of other features were cursorily investigated and a number of artefacts recovered from their upper fills including pottery of mostly 1st-2nd century AD date. The density of features and artefacts in this area is indicative of domestic occupation. Unexcavated linear features [876] and [5027] may represent boundary ditches delimiting a settlement area to the north and extending beyond the limits of excavation.

Found during a programme of archaeological work conducted by Wessex Archaeology along the route of the Dorchester By-pass, Western Link, Fordington Bottom, Dorchester between 1986 and 1988. The results of the excavations have been published as a Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society Monograph; (DNHAS Monograph 11). The numbers in square brackets below refer to the context and feature numbers used in the published report (1).

A group of features, on the upper terrace in the north of Trench K, is tentatively assigned to this period on ceramic and stratigraphic grounds. Only a few of them were examined in detail.

Sub-circular pit [827] was clay lined, 1.85m in diameter, 0.5m deep with steep sides and a flat base. 273 sherds of Black Burnished Ware were recovered of 1st-2nd century date. Items of personal jewellery were also found, comprising a fragment of shale armlet, a fragment of an iron penannular brooch and two fragments of copper alloy, one of a pin and the other of a 1st century AD strip brooch.

To the east of the pit, an irregular feature [841] was partially excavated. It was 1.8m wide with irregular sides, 0.35m deep and filled with dark brown loam. 55 sherds of 2nd century Black Burnished Ware were recovered.

A number of other features were cursorily investigated and a number of artefacts recovered from their upper fills including pottery of mostly 1st-2nd century AD date. Three pieces of copper alloy included a chatelaine brooch, a 2nd century T-shaped head stud brooch, and a fragment of pin shank. The density of features and artefacts in this area is indicative of domestic occupation. Unexcavated linear features [876] and [5027] may represent boundary ditches delimiting a settlement area to the north and extending beyond the limits of excavation.

<1> Smith, R J C et al, 1997, Excavations along the Route of the Dorchester By-pass, Dorset, 1986-8, 203-223 (Monograph). SDO9379.

Record last edited

Jan 26 2007 6:11AM