Monument record MDO18722 - A37 Western Link; Later Roman Terrace 283

Evidence for a later Roman terrace was discovered during excavations along the route of the Dorchester By-pass, Western Link. Two terraces were excavated. Both may have been associated with a working area [467] cut into the floor of the coombe. Terrace [283] had been cut upslope and directly to the east of the working area in Trench F. This was rectangular, cut 0.84m into the coombe side and measures 9.0m x 5.6m. There was no evidence for any structures on the terrace.

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).

There was no discernible break in occupation from the Early Roman period into the 3rd and 4th centuries but a distinct change in the emphasis and scale of occupation. The settlement spread over trenches F, G/H and K and as far south as Trenches D and E. For the first time the coombe floor/ lower terrace was intensively used as a working area with associated features. At least nine new buildings, probably serving a variety of functions, were constructed along the coombe side.

Two terraces were excavated. Both may have been associated with a working area [467] cut into the floor of the coombe. Terrace [283] had been cut upslope and directly to the east of the working area in Trench F. This was rectangular, cut 0.84m into the coombe side and measures 9.0m x 5.6m. There was no evidence for any structures on the terrace.

<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 30 2007 9:41AM