Find Spot record MDO19210 - Roman Shale Table Leg from 4-5 Princes Street, Dorchester

A portion of Kimmeridge shale table leg, possibly decorated with a Griffin's head, was recovered from the spoil heap while digging drains and foundations for a new hospital building on the site of the demolished houses 4 and 5 Princes Street.

In November 1958, while digging drains and foundations for a new hospital building on the site of the demolished houses 4 and 5 Princes Street (SY 69119063), workmen discovered some sherds of Romano-British coarse black pottery (DCM 1958.55). A portion of Kimmeridge shale table leg, possibly decorated with a Griffin's head, was recovered from the spoil heap. 'On the upper half of the fragment a drop=shaped tongue is the only part of a possible griffin's head that remains. The lower hald shows the stylised front legs of an animal, greyhound or hare, climbing upwards. The muzzle has been damaged but the ears can be seen flattened along the back.'

Record last edited

Mar 21 2011 10:43AM