Site Event/Activity record ECC1199 - Watching Brief at St Mary's Hospital, Colchester, 1975

Location

Location St Mary's Hospital, Colchester
Grid reference Centred TL 99150 25361 (71m by 41m)
Map sheet TL92NE
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Technique(s)

Organisation

Colchester Archaeological Trust Ltd

Date

February 1975

Map

Description

A watching brief was held during the construction of a nursing home. An area of approximately 200 square metres was stripped by machine. The groundwork was well advanced by the time of the visit; detailed observation was hindered by the movement of heavy plant and the resultant 'trample' embedded into the surface of the site. At the south east corner of the site the removal of up to 1.5m of topsoil exposed Roman levels, mainly composed of loamy sand. To the west ,the sand was sealed by a substantial deposit of burnt daub and charcoal. The most notable feature was a short wall foundation of solid mortar aligned north-south and situated immediately to the east of the burnt material. The area from 5-8m to the east of the foundation contained a scattering of Roman roof and building tile. Taken together, these remains point to the site of a Roman building. In the south-west corner of the site, removal of the topsoil exposed natural sand with no intervening Roman deposits.<1>

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Monograph: Crummy, Philip. 1992. CAR 6: Excavations at Culver Street, the Gilberd School, and other sites in Colchester 1971-85. 6. p.807.

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

  • Roman wall, St Mary's Hospital, Colchester (Element)

Record last edited

Feb 12 2016 10:47AM

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