Monument record MDO18559 - Alington Avenue Roman drier 2642

Evidence for a Roman drier was discovered during excavations at Alington Avenue. Drier [2642] lay in the SW corner of the third phase D-shaped enclosure, less than 5m from the boundary ditches and in an area of probable 4th century graves, which appeared to be grouped around it. The structure was roughly figure-of-eight shaped, 4m long, 2.0-2.6m wide and 1.3m deep with steeply sloping sides. The oven/drier structure was contained within this pit. It was of narrow keyhole-shaped construction, three quarters lined with stone and flint walling. The unlined end may have been the stoke hole, some 0.2m higher than the chamber. The extant walling comprised seven courses set in a pale beige mortar. The inside was roughly faced but not rendered and the surfaces were heavily burnt, particularly along the narrow flue. A single thick deposit of ash and charcoal at the east end, appeared to be the last cleaning-out of the drier. The date of construction is probably no earlier than the extension of the third phase enclosure, post AD 250. A disused Roman milestone carved in AD 269-73, was dumped in the backfill, perhaps in the early 4th century.

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).

Seven ovens and driers were found, one [070] during the 1984 evaluation, three within the D-shaped enclosure or its extensions, and four outside its boundaries, including one described within building [1737]. Most of these structures (except [4250] which was cut by a late Roman grave) have been dated to the late Roman period, although the dating evidence has largely come from layers relating to backfill and disuse.

Drier [2642] lay in the SW corner of the third phase D-shaped enclosure, less than 5m from the boundary ditches and in an area of probable 4th century graves, which appeared to be grouped around it. The structure was roughly figure-of-eight shaped, 4m long, 2.0-2.6m wide and 1.3m deep with steeply sloping sides. The oven/drier structure was contained within this pit. It was of narrow keyhole-shaped construction, three quarters lined with stone and flint walling. The unlined end may have been the stoke hole, some 0.2m higher than the chamber. The extant walling comprised seven courses set in a pale beige mortar. The inside was roughly faced but not rendered and the surfaces were heavily burnt, particularly along the narrow flue. A single thick deposit of ash and charcoal at the east end, appeared to be the last cleaning-out of the drier. The date of construction is probably no earlier than the extension of the third phase enclosure, post AD 250. A disused Roman milestone carved in AD 269-73, was dumped in the backfill, perhaps in the early 4th century.

<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

Dec 12 2018 5:45PM