Monument record MDO18561 - Alington Avenue Roman drier 4250

Evidence for a Roman drier was discovered during excavations at Alington Avenue. Drier [4250] was situated almost in the western corner of the phase 1 D-shaped enclosure. It was a long, thin, sub-rectangular structure 4.5m long, 1.3m wide and cut to a maximum depth of 0.55m into the chalk. The SE end tapered and sloped gently up to the top of the chalk., the opposite end stopped at an abrupt vertical edge. It also had sloping sides producing a splayed U-profile. Most of the base in the centre and west end was covered with a layer of charcoal and carbonised seeds, including barley and wheat. The upper layers were cut by a late 3rd century grave and the drier may have been in use during the life of the phase 1 enclosure c. AD 100-200.

Found during a series of archaeological evaluations and excavations conducted by Wessex Archaeology at Alington Avenue, Fordington, Dorchester, between 1984-1987. The results of the excavations have been published as a Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society Monograph (DNHAS Monograph 15). The numbers in square brackets below refer to the context and feature numbers used in the published reports (1). Seven ovens and driers were found, one [070] during the 1984 evaluation, three within the D-shaped enclosure or its extensions, and four outside its boundaries, including one described within building [1737]. Most of these structures (except [4250] which was cut by a late Roman grave) have been dated to the late Roman period, although the dating evidence has largely come from layers relating to backfill and disuse. Drier [4250] was situated almost in the western corner of the phase 1 D-shaped enclosure. It was a long, thin, sub-rectangular structure 4.5m long, 1.3m wide and cut to a maximum depth of 0.55m into the chalk. The SE end tapered and sloped gently up to the top of the chalk, the opposite end stopped at an abrupt vertical edge. It also had sloping sides producing a splayed U-profile. Most of the base in the centre and west end was covered with a layer of charcoal and carbonised seeds, including barley and wheat. The upper layers were cut by a late 3rd century grave and the drier may have been in use during the life of the phase 1 enclosure c. AD 100-200.

Record last edited

Dec 12 2018 5:45PM