Monument record MDO18729 - A37 Western Link; Later Roman Grave 167

Evidence for a later Roman grave was discovered during excavations along the route of the Dorchester By-pass, Western Link. Grave [167] in Trench D was aligned NE-SW and lay to the side of ditch [169]. The cut was rectangular, measuring 3.3 x 1.66m for the upper 0.75m of the grave. From this depth the grave narrowed to 2.3 x 0.95m in the SW corner. It was 2.0m deep at its north end and 0.65m deep at the south end, and had vertical sides and an uneven base. The grave contained 232 iron nails, some displaying mineralised wood derived from radially split and flat sawn oak planks. The nails were three dimensionally recorded during excavation and indicated three separate timber elements within the grave. Initially a wooden lining was constructed within the narrow grave. Then the coffin, measuring 1.85 x 0.5m was placed inside. Finally an apparently empty wooden box, 1.00 x 0.5m was placed in the larger grave cut to the north of the head. The body, a male of 25-45 years, was buried in an extended supine position with the arms crossed over the pelvis with the head to the NE. The tightly compressed skeleton suggests that the body had been wrapped in a shroud.

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 [167] in Trench D was aligned NE-SW and lay to the side of ditch [169]. The cut was rectangular, measuring 3.3 x 1.66m for the upper 0.75m of the grave. From this depth the grave narrowed to 2.3 x 0.95m in the SW corner. It was 2.0m deep at its north end and 0.65m deep at the south end, and had vertical sides and an uneven base. The grave contained 232 iron nails, some displaying mineralised wood derived from radially split and flat sawn oak planks. The nails were three dimensionally recorded during excavation and indicated three separate timber elements within the grave. Initially a wooden lining was constructed within the narrow grave. Then the coffin, measuring 1.85 x 0.5m was placed inside. Finally an apparently empty wooden box, 1.00 x 0.5m was placed in the larger grave cut to the north of the head. The body, a male of 25-45 years, was buried in an extended supine position with the arms crossed over the pelvis with the head to the NE. The tightly compressed skeleton suggests that the body had been wrapped in a shroud.

<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 11:20AM