SDO9794 - ROMAN ROADWAY DISCOVERY AT DORCHESTER

A section of a Roman roadway has been discovered during the work of clearing a site at the rear of Messrs. Thurmans premises in High West Street, Dorchester. This is the second section of roadway to be found in this street during the past three months. The first was revealed during the course of digging the foundations of a new building at the top of the street, and a section of Roman pavement was also found. At this spot the Roman remains were about 18 inches below the present level. The Roman roadway at the rear of Messrs. Thurmans premises was covered by about three feet of earth and rubbish, which accumulated during the Middle Ages. Colonel C. D. Drew, who showed the discovery to an “Echo” reporter said that if extended the road direction would lead to the south entrance of the town, which was an indication that this was one of the principal streets of Roman Dorchester. At the moment the excavators have dug to the original turf line, some six feet below the present-day surface. On the turf line was placed a layer of chalk and above this about two feet of rough cobbles. Finer cobbles were then laid, and on these the Roman road, which had a very pronounced camber was made. There are traces of repair work and also of ruts caused by vehicles using the road in Roman days. Nearby was a coin of about 360A.D. The surface of the road surface is to be uncovered for the purpose of photography. On Tuesday Colonel Drew will commence excavations at the Colliton Park site.