Site Event/Activity record ECC1866 - Environmental Sample from 45-46 High Street, Colchester, 1971

Location

Location 45-46 High Street, Colchester
Grid reference TL 99693 25199 (point)
Map sheet TL92NE
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Technique(s)

Organisation

Murphy, Peter (Mr)

Date

1971

Map

Description

During the excavation of Boudican destruction layers at 45-46 High Street, several samples of carbonised plant remains were collected by the excavator. These were examined by Peter Murphy and a report deposited at the museum. (See also ECC76) <1> The report was partially reproduced in an M Phil Thesis <2>. Boudican deposits at the site produced charred cones of Pinus pinea (Mediterranean stone-pine), figs (Ficus carica) and large deposit of charred coriander 'seeds' (Coriandrum sativum), associated with weed seeds and other crop plants - dill (Anethum graveolens), anise (Pimpinella anisum), celery (Apium graveolens), opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), flax/linseed (Linun usitatissumum), lentil (Lens esculenta), horse-bean (Vicia faba var minor) and cereals. Evidently this was a shop at which various foodstuffs were on sale. <3>

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Murphy, Peter. 1984. 45-46 High Street, Colchester: Carbonised plant remains.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Murphy, Peter. 1997. Early agriculture and environment on the Hampshire chalklands.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Murphy, Peter. 2000. Summary of environmental archaeology work in Colchester Borough.

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

  • Roman pottery shop, Curry's, 45-46 High Street, Colchester (Monument)

Record last edited

Oct 26 2016 2:01PM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.