Monument record MDO2531 - Roman fort on Waddon Hill, Stoke Abbott

Earthworks associated with the Roman fort on Waddon Hill are visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s and 1970s. The site was digitally plotted during the Marshwood Vale NMP.

A Roman site, subsequently identified as a mid 1st century fort, located at Waddon Hill, Dorset. The earliest recorded finds were made by Boswell Stone in 1893 and consisted of coins, brooches and a quantity of military equipment, buckles, plume holders and a scabbard guard etc which have been restored and are exhibited at Bridport Museum. The site was excavated by Graham Webster from 1959-62. A substantial part of the fort has been destroyed by stone quarrying but the excavations showed that it was about 270 ft wide and at least 400 ft long. <1> In the central area various timber buildings were found; these were identified as the principia, praetorium and possibly the valetudinarium <3>. Although some native pottery was found there was insufficient evidence to suggest an IA occupation on the hilltop. <1> Later excavations up to 1969, revealed more timber buildings which could be barrack blocks. <6> The fort at Waddon Hill apparently had a mixed garrison of legionaries and auxiliary cavalry, although as a large part of the site has been destroyed by quarrying, the details can never be clear. It continued in use until after AD 60. <7> The final excavation report was published in 1979. General conclusions were in line with those above. <8> A bronze brooch, said to be from Waddon Hill, is now in the Poole Museum collection. It may be compared with the aucissa type, and is consistent with the early Roman occupation known on this site. <9> Earthworks associated with the Roman fort on Waddon Hill are visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s <10> and 1970s <11> The earthworks appear to mainly comprise rectilinear defensive banks where these survive at the eastern end of Waddon Hill, which include an entrance into the fort, formed of inner and outer banks. Quarrying (MDO39097) has resulted in extensive loss of the western end of the fort. Earthwork banks around the edges of the hill within the quarried area may be the result of quarrying but may also represent part of the fort's defensive works, but this is not certain. The site was digitally plotted during the Marshwood Vale NMP.

Record last edited

Nov 9 2022 3:28PM