Monument record MDO18407 - Poundbury Late Roman Structure R15

Structure R15 was a probable rectangular stone-footed structure found on Site D during the 1966-1979 excavations at Poundbury. Part of the western and northern walls were revealed but the full extent to the south and east was not determined as they were obscured by a modern road and building. It is also possible that there was no east wall to this structure and it was an open-sided workshop. The footings comprised mortared flint, 0.4m wide. It measured over 2.8m by 1.8m internally. The only potential internal features were two parallel gullies inside the west wall, which were filled with soil, ash and building debris. The remains of this building were cut by a number of late Roman graves, one of which produced an iron rod, probably the debris from nail making, form its fill, perhaps indicating a possible industrial function for Structure R12.

Found during the excavations directed by Christopher Sparey Green, for the Dorchester Excavation Committee, between 1966 and 1979 during development of the Grove Trading Estate on the eastern slopes of Poundbury Camp, Dorchester (1). The numbers in square brackets below refer to the context and feature numbers used in the published report and archive (1) (2).

Structure R15 was a probable rectangular stone-footed structure found on Site D. Part of the western and northern walls were revealed but the full extent to the south and east was not determined as they were obscured by a modern road and building. It is also possible that there was no east wall to this structure and it was an open-sided workshop. The footings comprised mortared flint, 0.4m wide. It measured over 2.8m by 1.8m internally. The only potential internal features were two parallel gullies inside the west wall, which were filled with soil, ash and building debris. The remains of this building were cut by a number of late Roman graves, one of which produced an iron rod, probably the debris from nail making, form its fill, perhaps indicating a possible industrial function for Structure R12.

Building R15 was one of three buildings (together with R16 and R17) which lay together within the Late Roman Enclosure 1, probably forming part of a small settlement or farming unit.

<1> Sparey Green, C, 1987, Excavations at Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset 1966-1982. Volume 1: The Settlements (Monograph). SDO9630.

<2> Sparey Green, C, 1966-1979, Poundbury, Grove Trading Estate, Dorchester (Excavation archive). SDO10096.

Record last edited

Aug 3 2010 5:25PM