Site Event/Activity record ECC2929 - Archaeological monitoring and recording at Colchester Royal Grammar School, Colchester, 2015

Location

Location Colchester Royal Grammar School, 6 Lexden Road, Colchester, CO3 3ND
Grid reference Centred TL 98742 24809 (55m by 37m)
Map sheet TL92SE
County ESSEX
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Technique(s)

Organisation

Colchester Archaeological Trust Ltd

Date

August-November 2015

Map

Description

An archaeological watching brief was carried out by Colchester Archaeological Trust during groundworks for the construction of a new teaching block and gym extension at Colchester Royal Grammar School (CBC planning application 144569). Much of the site had suffered from modern disturbance, but four archaeological features were identified. Two areas of gravel surface were identified as the Roman Gosbecks Road (F5) and the Roman London Road (F1). <1> Roman road surface (F1) - The remains of a Roman road were identified along the foundation trenches and pads of the new teaching block, in the northern-most quarter of the new building. It was sealed by 400-600mm of topsoil (L3) and was itself 450-650mm thick. The road surface was made of hard compacted gravel. A pit and posthole in the area of a foundation pad were possibly also Roman. Residual finds within areas of modern disturbance included a Roman cremation urn in a foundation trench of the new building. The greyware jar probably dated from the mid 1st-early 2nd century and analysis of the bone revealed a minimum of two adults, one positively identified as female. Roman road surface (F5) - The remains of a Roman road were identified in small sections across the foundation trenches and pads on the eastern side of the gym extension. Where the road surface had survived it was sealed beneath 200mm of L2-L3. The road was a hard compacted gravel surface. In addition, a fragment of Jacobean worked stone was recovered from an area of modern disturbance (?strapwork on either side of a cherub(?) head, early 17th century).

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Watching Brief Report: Pooley, L.. 2016. Archaeological monitoring and recording at Colchester Royal Grammar School, 6 Lexden Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3ND. CAT Report 909.

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Record last edited

Apr 11 2016 8:47AM

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