Site Event/Activity record ECC1589 - Watching brief at Head Gate, Colchester, 1988

Location

Location Headgate, Colchester,
Grid reference Centred TL 9941 2500 (3m by 1m)
Map sheet TL92NE
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Technique(s)

Organisation

Colchester Archaeological Trust Ltd

Date

January 1988

Map

Description

A watching brief was held during resurfacing work at the junction of Sir Isaac's Walk and Head Street. Several fragments of Roman wall were uncovered 0.3-0.5m below the ground level. Although these remains had been extensively damaged during the laying of modern services it was clear they belonged to the eastern side of the south-west gate of the Roman town. Part of the west face of the east side of the gate survived intact to a height of 0.7m above the original ground surface. The north-west corners and parts of the northern face of this east side were also located. The face was traced for approximately 1.3m southwards. Some Roman? Gravel metalling butted on to the face of the gate. Three other fragments of wall were found which appeared to be in situ. The most important of these was a section of wall which included part of the north face. This lay 1.7m east of the north-west corner of the gate. The shop on the south side of the junction of Sir Isaac's Walk and Head Street has a cellar in which a substantial part of the Roman town wall survives.<1><2>

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> Monograph: Crummy, Philip. 1992. CAR 6: Excavations at Culver Street, the Gilberd School, and other sites in Colchester 1971-85. 6. pp.396-397.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Colchester Archaeological Trust Ltd. 1985-1995. Colchester Archaeological Trust Unpublished Archive. p28.

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

  • Roman Head Gate, Head Street, Colchester (Monument)
  • Town Wall, Colchester (Monument)

Record last edited

Feb 10 2016 1:11PM

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