Monument record MDO18585 - Alington Avenue Roman Structure 2925

Evidence for a Roman structure was discovered during excavations at Alington Avenue. Some 6m west from building 459 was a setting of flint nodules in a loam matrix, measuring 4m long and 0.4m wide. This is a similar construction technique to building 459 and it is on a similar alignment suggesting that it may represent a contemporary annexe or walled enclosure. Limited pottery evidence suggests a pre-3rd century date.

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).

Three buildings with stone footings were revealed; two within the D-shaped enclosure [459] & [2126] and one just outside its eastern side [1737]. In addition there were several short lengths of wall, which may have belonged to other structures. Internal features were rare and there was little evidence for specific function. Furthermore, a series of post-hole structure were revealed within the enclosure with little or no dating evidence. It has been suggested on morphological grounds that they are late or post-Roman in date but it is possible that some may be contemporary with the stone-footed structures.

Some 6m west from building [459] was a setting of flint nodules in a loam matrix, measuring 4m long and 0.4m wide [2925]. This is a similar construction technique to building 459 and it is on a similar alignment suggesting that it may represent a contemporary annexe or walled enclosure. This fragmentary setting was also on a very similar alignment to the west wall of building [2126] and, like [2126] was set in an earlier ditch. This perhaps strengthens the argument for some kind of walled enclosure.

Limited pottery evidence suggests a pre-3rd century date.

<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 5:47PM