Monument record MDO18728 - A37 Western Link; Later Roman Grave 154

Evidence for a later Roman grave was discovered during excavations along the route of the Dorchester By-pass, Western Link. Grave [154] in Trench D was aligned NE-SW and lay to the side of ditch [169]. The cut was rectangular, measuring 2.0 x 0.58 x 0.3m with vertical sides and a flat base. The skeleton, a male of more than 45 years, lay in an extended supine position with the left arm over the pelvis and the right arm bent over the chest, head to the NE. Thirty iron nails around the body indicate a wooden coffin. Mineralised wood on the nails showed that the coffin had been made of radially split oak planks. The presence of 99 hobnails around the feet represents boots. A few sherds of undiagnostic Black Burnished Ware were recovered from the grave fill.

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 discernable 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 late Roman graves were found in Trench D. both were aligned on contemporary field boundaries and may mark the southern limit of the Roman settlement.

Grave [154] in Trench D was aligned NE-SW and lay to the side of ditch [169]. The cut was rectangular, measuring 2.0 x 0.58 x 0.3m with vertical sides and a flat base. The skeleton, a male of more than 45 years, lay in an extended supine position with the left arm over the pelvis and the right arm bent over the chest, head to the NE. Thirty iron nails around the body indicate a wooden coffin. Mineralised wood on the nails showed that the coffin had been made of radially split oak planks. The presence of 99 hobnails around the feet represents boots. A few sherds of undiagnostic Black Burnished Ware were recovered from the grave fill.

<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 11:12AM