Monument record MDO18800 - Merchant's Garage, High West Street, Dorchester; Roman oven 386

A Roman oven of possible 2nd century AD date was found during observations and recording at the site of the former Merchant’s Garage, High East Street, Dorchester in 1983. This oven was only seen in section, so its plan form is not known. It comprised a limestone structure, bonded with clay, set within a pit and with a firing floor to the south.

The remains of an oven were found during observations and recording at the site of the former Merchant’s Garage, High East Street, Dorchester in 1983 (1) (2). This oven was only identified in the sides of two parallel footings trenches and its plan was not exposed. It was constructed in a pit 2.3m long and 0.45m deep, oriented N-S. The oven structure was built in the northern end of the cut and comprised limestone blocks bonded with clay. The pit contained many layers of ash and charcoal. There was some suggestion that the oven structure cut the earliest layer of ash within the pit, suggesting it had been rebuilt. There is no secure dating evidence for this oven, but it was earlier than a Late Roman building of possible 3rd-4th century AD date. It may have been of 2nd century AD date.

Record last edited

Jun 30 2014 4:33PM