A limited archaeological test pit evaluation was carried out by Pre-Construct Archaeology on land at Essex County Hospital, Colchester, in August 2015, with the aim of providing some preliminary data to begin to characterise the archaeological potential prior to redevelopment of the hospital site. Six 1.5 x 1.5m test pits were hand dug, located around the perimeter of the site on areas currently accessible and in green space.<1> The test pits indicated the preservation for Roman archaeological features on the site appears to be relatively good, with survival of layers and deposits rather than just ‘negative’/ ‘cut’ features, and fairly deep overburden in several of the test pits which contained Roman archaeology (e.g. 1, 2, 5 and 6). They were associated with moderately large and varied finds assemblages. A large assemblage of Roman pottery was recovered from the six test pits, weighing 17,758g. The largest assemblages of earlier Roman pottery were recovered from Test Pits 1 and 6, in the south-western part of the site. Test Pit 1 produced 519 sherds (9033.5g) of pottery, and Test Pit 6 310 sherds (2967.5g). The presence of painted wall plaster, opus signinum, hypocaust tiles and box flue tiles, (especially from Test Pits 1 and 5) suggest that the test pits in the south-western corner of the site are in close proximity to areas of activity. Some fragments are large and ‘fresh’, indicating deposition close to the buildings of which they formed part. Test Pit 1 contained a potential Roman quarry pit, two possible pits and two deposits rich in Roman artefacts. The quarry pit is likely related to the construction or repair of one of the number of Roman roads present in the immediate area. However given the small window defined by the test pit identification and interpretation of features is challenging. Test Pit 1 contained the largest assemblage of Roman pottery, weighing 9034g, dating from the mainly from the 1st to 3rd centuries AD. The principal result of the test pitting was to demonstrate the presence of a number of Roman deposits/ layers as well as areas of quarry pitting along the western boundary of the site. These were associated with moderate to large quantities of finds including animal bone, pottery of Roman (1st-3rd century) date and ceramic building material (CBM). The quantity and variety of finds (pottery, animal bone, CBM) reflecting proximity to settlement or areas of intensive activity. Test Pit 2 contained no archaeological features that could be easily defined, but deposits of Roman date were identified. The quantity of pottery and other finds recovered could suggest that this test pit was located within a larger feature which could not be identified within the small sample area. Test pit 3 contained no archaeological features or deposits. It was heavily truncated on the eastern side by modern foundations relating to a basement for the hospital. Test pit 4 contained no archaeological features or deposits. The eastern part of the test pit was disturbed by root activity and from the construction of foundations for the hospital. Test pit 5 was heavily truncated by modern drains and services. Below the level of these modern truncations deposits of undisturbed, possibly Roman, material were present. Two pits and a deposit of Roman material were identified in Test pit 6.