EDO4368 - Glyde Path Road, Dorchester; excavation 1966 Trench 1

Excavation prior to the development of Glyde Court was undertaken on behalf of the DNHAS in July 1966. Two trenches were excavated. The overburden was removed down onto the remains of the Roman building, but was not excavated down to the top of the natural chalk, so it is unclear what earlier phases of activity may have been present on the site. Trench 1 revealed part of a Roman building (Building 1). The extent of the building to the east and south was not defined as it extended beyond the limits of the excavation area. Walls of flint and limestone were covered in plaster of various colours, some with patterning. Leaf-shaped limestone roof tiles were also found. The mosaic floors were of coarse, simple pattern (2). The building had been destroyed to the east, beyond the edge of the excavation, by the ditch for the medieval castle (1). The remains of the floors and walls were not removed, so it is not known what lay beneath this Late Roman building.