EDO4439 - Foundry Yard, High Street, Fordington, Dorchester; excavation 1927

In October 1927, the site of a tessellated floor, initially discovered in 1903, was exposed in the area under footpath on the south side of High Street, Fordington and the entrance to Lott and Walne's foundry yard (1). The circumstances of this work are unclear. The whole of the surviving part of the mosaic was exposed, but no mention of any associated walls has been recorded. The mosaic was lifted, revealing details of its base. It was relaid in the Dorset County Museum (1). The fine mosaic comprised a square panel with a horseshoe-shaped apse to the south, which contained the head of Neptune or Oceanus (2). The floor was sealed by large quantities painted plaster, flint rubble and ceramic roof tile. Two knives said to be Saxon in date were found sealed by the plaster and rubble (1). At least one of these knives is probably not Saxon (3). Two pieces of 1st century samian pottery were found beneath the floor (1) and the mosaic itself has been assigned a 2nd century AD date (2).