Monument record MDO18123 - Greyhound Yard, Roman building 5470

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Summary

The remains of a building with post-built walls in the southern half of the eastern frontage of the Greyhound Yard insula, found during the 1984 excavations at Greyhound Yard. Built along the west side of Street 5533, with a corridor or arcade to the rear, it may have formed part of a larger building complex with Building 5452.

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Found during the excavations carried out by Wessex Archaeology in 1984 prior to the redevelopment of the area of the former Greyhound Yard. (1) The results of the excavation were published together with the results of the adjacent Old Methodist Chapel excavations. (2) The numbers in square brackets below are context and feature numbers used in the published report (2). Traces of a structure were found in the area behind the southern end of the eastern frontage of the Greyhound Yard insula. It lay beneath the remains of a later Roman building and was constructed over earlier soil layers. The structure consisted of two lengths of wall set at right angles [4204, 4205], comprising a single face of small limestone slabs set in clayey loam 2-3 courses high and remnants of a substantial chalk floor in the angle between the walls and to the north. It is not clear whether the walls were internal or external walls and the full extent of the building is not known. A number features including a concentration of stakeholes cut through the chalk floor, but it is unclear whether these were contemporary with Building 5470. The stratigraphic evidence suggests this building was constructed in the 2nd century AD. This structure went out of use at some time before the construction of the overlying Building 3504 in the 3rd/4th century AD. Not enough of this building survives to be able to determine its size, layout and function.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • --- Unpublished document: Trust for Wessex Archaeology. 1983. Dorchester, Durnovaria: Excavations in the town centre at Greyhound Yard, and the Old Methodist Chapel (1982-1984): Interim and introductory notes to the current excavations.
  • --- Excavation archive: Wessex Archaeology. 1984. Greyhound Yard, Dorchester excavation archive.
  • <1> Article in serial: Woodward, P J , Davies, S M , and Graham, A H. 1984. Excavations at the Greyhound Yard Car Park, Dorchester, 1984. 106. 99-106.
  • <2> Monograph: Woodward, P J , Davies, S M , and Graham, A H. 1993. Excavations at the Old Methodist Chapel and Greyhound Yard, Dorchester, 1981-1984. 44.

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Location

Grid reference Centred SY 69343 90594 (3m by 2m)
Map sheet SY69SE
Civil Parish Dorchester; Dorset
Unitary Authority Dorset

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Other Statuses/References

  • Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 1 041 309
  • Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SY 69 SE 244
  • Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 1147734

Record last edited

Jan 17 2024 2:46PM

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