Monument record MDO18342 - Former Hardye's School, Barnes Way, Dorchester; Rectangular enclosure

A small rectangular ditched enclosure was exposed during the evaluation of the site of the former Hardye's School, Barnes Way, Dorchester by AC archaeology in 1996. This is possibly Roman in date and has been tentatively interpreted as an animal pen or enclosure.

A small rectangular ditched enclosure was exposed in Trench 10 during the evaluation of the site of the former Hardye's School, Barnes Way, Dorchester by AC archaeology in 1996 (1) (2). The enclosure was rectangular in plan with slightly rounded corners and measured 8.5m by 7.5m across. It was defined by a narrow shallow ditch between 0.4m and 0.8m wide and about 0.2m deep. This ditch was filled with light yellowish-brown silty soil which contained a small quantity of Roman pottery and Roman tile fragments. A small quantity of medieval pottery found in the upper part of the ditch may be intrusive. No features were found in the interior of this enclosure, nor was any entrance defined. A possible shallow oval flat-based pit was cut into the ditch on the south side of the enclosure. This produced a few pieces of worked flint and a large worked limestone slab. Immediately outside the NW and SW corners of the enclosure were two small groups of stakeholes. These are probably the result of root disturbance, rather than deliberate archaeological features. The precise date and function of this enclosure is unclear, but the material within the ditch suggests a probable Roman date. The general dearth of finds and lack of other evidence for contemporary activity in the immediately surrounding area of the enclosure suggests that it is not a settlement feature. It may be a small animal enclosure or pen.

Record last edited

Nov 3 2006 2:56AM