4 EXCAVATIONS AT DORCHESTER. 



by Mr. Moule (1892-3) and may be found in the Dorset Album, 

 Vol. I, part II. Both these sections are nearly at right angles 

 to the main wall, and are therefore of special interest. 



The principal facts brought to light up to the present time 

 may therefore be stated thus 



On the East of the city, the wall was on the site of Salisbury 

 Walks ; on the South, the present avenues and walks occupy 

 the position of the ancient main ditch, the wall lying more to 

 the North where the houses now stand; and on th3 West, the 

 wall was on the site of West Walks, and Colliton Walks. 



The most noteworthy features, and not at all easy cf ex- 

 planation, are those revealed at the extremities of the Southern 

 face, where the two parallel, outlying banks of chalk were found 

 beyond the main ditch. They are probably the remains ot the 

 ramparts described by early writers,* who state that " Dor- 

 chester was anciently encompassed by a high and thick wall of 

 stone, beyond which again were, two ramparts of earth 1,700 

 paces in length." 



Outlying banks and ditches are so unusual in the normal 

 tvpe of Roman fortifications, and so typical of those constructed 

 b\ the earlier inhabitants of Britain, that it may be suggested 

 perhaps that Durnovaria was built on the site of a pre-historic 

 " oppidum." But although this district was no doubt thickly 

 populated in the Bronze Age, it would appear improbable that 

 there was a third fortified camp in the immediate neighbour- 

 hood of Maiden Castle and Poundbury. Moreover, the features 

 we are discussing are very similar to a description of Silchester 

 given by Mr. John Ward, " the fortifications of which (he 

 says) are of earthwork faced with a strong wall, external to 

 which are the remains of two ditches." 



One more fact should ba noted. The plan, or outline, of the 

 Roman defences did not follow the usual rectilinear design, but 

 occupied an area equivalent to a quadrant of a circle. The two 

 faces, South and West, are at right angles and of equal length. 



See Bayley's "Civil War in Dorset," page 94. 



