Monument record MDO18848 - Roman oven, South Street, Dorchester

A large furnace or oven was recorded in a gas-main trench along South Street in 1979. It was aligned north-south and measured approximately 1m wide by 3m long. The relationship with the Roman buildings to the north is uncertain. It may have belonged to the latest phase of building, but there was some evidence that it was sealed by a chalk floor. A single sherd of Neronian samian was associated with this feature. (1-2)

<1> Keen, L, 1979, Dorset Archaeology in 1979. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 135 (Article in serial). SDO9647.

At the south-east corner of the Bank a large oven was crossed (SY 69249058).

<2> Woodward, P J , Davies, S M , and Graham, A H, 1993, Excavations at the Old Methodist Chapel and Greyhound Yard, Dorchester, 1981-1984, 7 (Monograph). SDO9411.

OBSERVATION 16: Large furnace or oven located in gas-pipe trench along South Street (Observations 13-15). Approximately 1m wide x 3m long, aligned north-south with buildings recorded to north. Associated stratigraphy suggested this belonged to latest phase of building sequence. However, single sherd of Neronian samian associated, and some evidence of sealing by chalk floor. No record of stratigraphy to south of oven identifying Roman east-west street defining southern boundary of insula. Records of metalling, yellow sand and gravel at 0.30-0.35m below surface at 46-46A South Street roughly on suggested north-south road alignment.

Record last edited

Aug 22 2024 7:32PM