Site Event/Activity record ECC1355 - Inhumation burials, Cedar Road, Colchester, 1930
Location
Location | Cedar Road, Colchester |
---|---|
Grid reference | TL 99514 24799 (point) |
Map sheet | TL92SE |
Non Parish Area | COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX |
Technique(s)
Organisation
Rudsdale, E. J. (Mr)
Date
1930
Description
Inhumation burials in Cedar Road, west of St John's Green.<1> In September 1930 a skeleton was found on the south side of Cedars Road, immediately south of the Salvation army Barracks. It was lying north-east at a depth of three and a half feet. A bronze bracelet was found on the left wrist. The thighs were wide apart and the legs were crossed above the ankles. An iron nail, a piece of iron chain and some small fragments of pottery were discovered in the filling of the grave, and the soil under the bones showed signs of decayed wood, but it was impossible to determine whether a coffin had been used. A second skeleton, apparently that of a well built man was also found, a few feet north of the first one, lying roughly east to west. The most interesting feature was that the body appeared to have been decapitated, and then thrown into the grave on the right side, in a crouching position, the skull placed in the region of the pelvis. The grave filling contained merely a few scraps of pottery and three iron nails. A third skeleton was uncovered a few inches away from the above. Only the skull and the two humeri were obtained, as the other bones, presumably , lie under the footpath of Cedars Road.<2><3><4><5>
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SCC48 Monograph: Hull, M. Rex. 1958. Roman Colchester: Reports of the Research Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London. No. XX. page 294, No 120.
- <2> SCC139 Serial: The Essex Society for Archaeology and History. 1933. Vol. 20 (New Series) Transactions of the Essex Archaeological Society. Vol. XX. page 289.
- <3> SCC146 Serial: Colchester Museums. 1933. Colchester Museum Reports 1925-1933. 1925-1933. page 36ff.
- <4> SCC87 DIARY: Laver, P. G.. 1916-1940. P.G. Laver's Diary. 29th september 1930.
- <5> SCC226 Index: Essex County Council. 1972. Colchester SMR (computer). SMR 13197.
Related Monuments/Buildings (3)
Record last edited
Feb 27 2016 4:30PM