Monument record MDO18546 - Alington Avenue Post-Roman Building 4431

Evidence for a Post-Roman building was discovered during excavations at Alington Avenue. The remnants of a post built structure [4431], 7m long and 2.5m wide with internal area of 23.94m2, were located to the east of the phase 2 enclosure ditch [1368] and 8m north of the stone footed building [1737] with a similar alignment. The north and west sides of the structure appeared to be complete, although the south and east sides were more fragmentary. The function of two post-holes within the building is uncertain and no floor levels or other associated features survived. Dating is reliant on the structure being cut by ditch [2579] and enclosure [4430], neither of which were well dated.

Found during a series of archaeological evaluations and excavations conducted by Wessex Archaeology at Alington Avenue, Fordington, Dorchester, between 1984-1987. The results of the excavations have been published as a Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society Monograph (DNHAS Monograph 15). The numbers in square brackets below refer to the context and feature numbers used in the published reports (1).

A spread of post-holes recorded across the centre of the site could be resolved into a small number of rectangular structures and alignments, all roughly parallel to the latest phase of Roman ditched boundaries. These structures were post-built with no surviving floor surfaces rendering the interpretation of their plans uncertain. There was only one clear building plan [1234] in the eastern end of the site and at least three other rectangular structures further to the west. The remaining post-hole alignments can be best understood as the vestiges of contemporary fence-lines. A possible sunken featured building [752] may also have been contemporary. Most finds were residual or intrusive but stratigraphical relationships suggest that these structures were relatively late in the site sequence. The buildings probably relate to a later land allotment system, which is either very late or post-Roman in date.

The remnants of a post built structure [4431], 7m long and 2.5m wide with internal area of 23.94m2, were located to the east of the phase 2 enclosure ditch [1368] and 8m north of the stone footed building [1737] with a similar alignment. The north and west sides of the structure appeared to be complete, although the south and east sides were more fragmentary. The function of two post-holes within the building is uncertain and no floor levels or other associated features survived. Dating is reliant on the structure being cut by ditch [2579] and enclosure [4430], neither of which were well dated.

<1> Davies, S M, Bellamy, P S , Heaton, M J , and Woodward, P J, 2002, Excavations at Alington Avenue, Fordington, Dorchester, Dorset, 1984-87 (Monograph). SDO9565.

Record last edited

Aug 29 2024 12:32PM