SDO10294 - Romano-British occupation sites near Sherborne and Yeovil; Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society

Short reports from Mr. Bean concerning excavations and observations in the Sherborne area. Included here is a précis of his note concerning one particular site At Pinford Lane, Castleton. Pinford Lane, Castleton (ST 65651710): Mr. C.E. Bean conducted further excavations on this site during 1955, after the presence of walls had been suggested by parch marks in the dry summer of that year. ‘A cobbled floor with late Roman sherds on it was found 8 ins. below the turf, and when it was lifted the angle of a wall foundation, 3 feet wide, was disclosed beneath it.’ Samian ware was found below these foundations. More cobbling was discovered with an adjacent wall was discovered nearer Pinford Lane. Coins, pottery and Lias roof slates were found in two distinct layers above the cobbling. Furthermore, an area of burning was interpreted as a corn drying oven on top of the cobbled surface. This wall did not continue south of the lane in ‘Long Plantation’ although another cobbled area with a wall at right angle to the other was excavated. A small pit at the west end of the cobbling contained a 2nd century brooch and Samian ware. Later Roman pottery was found in the layers above. Test pits suggested that this area south of Pinford Lane extended for c. 100 feet E-W. More cobbling and the presence of small buildings was suggested by a trial pit approximately 200 yards to the west in an area of the plantation where pottery had been thrown up by rabbits. The area of the known settlement now extends for 750 yards E-W and 250 yards N-S. Mr. Bean suggests it may be a valleyward extension of the 1st century occupation at the foot of the hill to the south.