Groundwork for a new operating theatre at the County Hospital, Lexden Road, began in 1953. Following the removal of a long hut which stood on the site, excavations were initiated by the towns Museum authorities under the supervision of Col. R.J. Appleby. However, when it came to digging the site it was found almost impossible to obtain sufficient clear ground to dig a trench of any length. The perimeter was inaccessible because it ran under a path which was still in use. Other parts were occupied by fruit trees, and services. One trench was cut along the whole length of the building, north to south, on the line of the inner west wall. Before this, Roman pottery had been found whilst putting in a stand-pipe at the north west corner of the new building. The trench revealed nothing of interest. At the north end gravel and sand was reached at about 2ft, and all the ground above this seemed to have been thoroughly dug over. Southwards the topsoil gradually increased in depth but no stratigraphy could be observed although a small ridge of gravel was observed on both side of the trench running at right angles from east to west. A second trench was cut eastwards from the first but revealed only featureless topsoil. The excavation was then abandoned although the foundation trenches were observed for the Museum by John French (see ECC1862).<1>