Monument record MDO19093 - County Police Station, Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester; Roman burials
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Summary
A 1st to 2nd century Roman inhumation cemetery was found during the construction of a wing for police barracks in 1893.
Map
Type and Period (3)
Full Description
(SY69038999) Present site of Southern Wall of Police Barracks. Here in 1893 in digging foundations were found three graves. In one was a jar and a remarkable two handled cup: Dorset Museum xiii-R68, and two Roman coins one being a first brass of Faustina junior seemingly. The other graves are probably modern; one contained a screw driver and the other a sharp pointed foil. <3>
SY69038999. Five extended skeletons were found during the construction of a new single-quarters wing at the Police barracks. They are matched by burials found by H St George Gray during the excavations of Maumbury Rings and by earlier discoveries at the barracks. They indicate a cemetery of simple graves flanking the Roman road to Radipole. No burials later than the 2nd cent AD are known from this cemetry - all are inhumations. One burial was examined and contained two 1st century fibulae. One burial was in a stone cist, the remainder in cut out graves. <4>
The siting was confirmed by Supt. Swateridge. The area is covered by a modern building. <5>
Sources/Archives (7)
- <1> SDO9815 Article in serial: Anon. 1859. 'Further Discoveries of Roman Remains' Dorset County Chronicle.
- <2> SDO9816 Article in serial: Anon. 1859. 'Discovery of Urns, Coins, and Skeletons, at Malmbury Rings' Dorset County Chronicle.
- <3> SDO19853 Map: Acland, J E. Private 1 to 25 inch scale map and index, 1904-1932.
- <4> SDO52 Serial: Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society. 1953. Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1952. 74. 97.
- <6> SDO150 Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1970. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 3. 580, no. 220b.
- <6> SWX1255 Unpublished document: Rigg, J. Field Investigators Comments JR. F1 JR 01-SEP-54.
- <7> SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 452131.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (4)
- Related to: County Constabulary Barracks, Dorchester; post-medieval brick structure (Monument) (MDO19008)
- Related to: County Police Barracks, Dorchester; Roman burial (Monument) (MDO18986)
- Related to: County Police Station, Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester; Roman burials (Monument) (MDO19073)
- Related to: Rear of Dorchester Police Station; Roman burial (Monument) (MDO18353)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Location
| Grid reference | SY 69029 90030 (point) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | SY69SE |
| Civil Parish | Dorchester; Dorset |
| Unitary Authority | Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SY 68 NE 86
- Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 452131
Record last edited
Nov 2 2023 7:23AM