Monument record MDO18385 - Poundbury Late Iron Age Structure IA10

Late Iron Age Structure IA10 was one of a number of Iron Age round houses found on the slopes to the east of Poundbury Camp during excavations at Poundbury. It comprised a small ring-gully house sited on a terrace, forming a structure about 4.7m in diameter. Two small scoops were associated with this structure, which contained mid 1st century AD finds. An infant burial lay beneath the floor. There is some evidence to suggest that this house burnt down. Round house IA10, together with the larger round house IA5 and associated pits,formed the final phase of Late Iron Age unenclosed settlement in this area.

Found during the excavations directed by Christopher Sparey Green, for the Dorchester Excavation Committee, between 1966 and 1979 during development of the Grove Trading Estate on the eastern slopes of Poundbury Camp, Dorchester (1). The numbers in square brackets below refer to the context and feature numbers used in the published report and archive (1) (2). The Late Iron Age round house, Structure IA10, was excavated in the northern end of the site on site E, on the slopes to the east of Poundbury camp. It consisted of a ring slot defining a structure about 4.6m in diameter. Within this structure, patches of chalk, representing part of the floor make-up were recognised and produced pottery of mid 1st century AD date. Two shallow scoops, one near the centre of the house and one outside may be associated with this house. On the southwest side, outside the line of the wall, a deposit of chalk rubble, flints, burnt clay and charcoal may have derived from the destruction of the hut. It contained mid 1st century AD pottery and other finds including a bronze harness fitting of uncertain, but possibly military use. The molluscan fauna suggests that a shady environment prior to construction gave way to open country during the period of occupation. The finds suggest the house was abandoned before the currency of Romanised wares on the site. An infant burial [E1392], was found in a grave beneath the floor [E810] on the western side of the house. Round house IA10, together with the larger round house IA5 to the north, formed the final phase of unenclosed Iron Age settlement on this part of the site.

Record last edited

Jul 26 2010 6:57AM