Monument record MDO39150 - Iron Age, Romano-British and medieval settlement, Royal Manor School, Weston Road, Portland

A multi-period settlement complex with evidence of at least three buildings was partly excavated in 2004. One of these is a stone circular building of Roman date set within enclosing walls; of uncertain function, one possible interpretation discussed by the excavators is that this may have been a temple. Part of a second circular stone building of apparently similar size was found at the southern edge of the excavation area. Hearths and a large quantity of material interpreted as kitchen waste, including quantities of black-burnished ware and coarse pottery, were also recorded. Between the two buildings were two ovens or furnaces. Burials of late Iron Age and Romano-British date were also found. Some of the Roman building foundations appear possibly to have been adapted for use in the medieval period, with at least one large building of some quality, with glazed ceramic ridge tiles.

<1> Laidlaw, M, Valentin, J and Whelan, B A, 2005, Royal Manor School, Weston, Portland, Dorset. Results of an Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SDO15116.

<2> Valentin, J, 2005, Royal Manor School Playing Fields, Weston, Portland, Dorset. Results of a Second Stage Archaeological Trench Evaluation (Unpublished document). SDO15117.

<3> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 2007, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 2006, 106-110 (Serial). SDO12292.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2017 4:33PM