Monument record MDO18365 - Ditch, Acland Road Sewer, Dorchester

A large V-shaped ditch was observed, running in a rough E-W direction, during the construction of a new sewer along Acland Road, Dorchester in 1990. This substantial ditch was not well dated, but the character of the fill suggests it was not of recent origin and could be Roman in date. It lies roughly along the line of the inner (northern) edge of the rampart of the Roman town defences. Without further investigation of this substantial feature, it is difficult to determine its date or function. Its scale suggests that it might be associated with the defences in some way but it is difficult to see what that function might have been.

During the construction of a new sewer along Acland Road, Dorchester in 1990, a large V-shaped ditch was observed, running in a rough E-W direction and was recorded by Wessex Archaeology. This ditch was about 4m wide and 2m deep and was filled with yellowish-brown silty loam and chalk rubble. Two sherds of Roman pottery were recovered from this ditch, which is otherwise undated. The character of the fill of this ditch suggests that it was not of recent origin and could be Roman in date. It lies roughly along the line of the inner (northern) edge of the rampart of the Roman town defences. Without further investigation of this substantial feature, it is difficult to determine its date or function. Its scale suggests that it might be associated with the defences in some way but it is difficult to see what that function might have been.

Adam, N J, 1990, Acland Road Sewer Main Watching Brief, October 1990 (Unpublished document). SDO9851.

Wessex Archaeology, 1990, Acland Road Sewer Main, Dorchester (Excavation archive). SDO10028.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 7:29PM