Site Event/Activity record ECC3031 - An archaeological watching brief of geotechnical test pits at Colchester Garrison PFI site, Colchester, 2000

Location

Location Colchester Garrison PFI site, Colchester
Grid reference TL 994 233 (point)
Map sheet TL92SE

Technique(s)

Organisation

Colchester Archaeological Trust Ltd

Date

September 2000

Map

Description

Seventy-seven test-pits and fourteen boreholes were excavated in September 2000 by contractors for W S Atkins Consultants over the entire 304 ha. PFI site. This was part of a land-quality statement site investigation, the purpose of which was to establish whether the ground had been contaminated and also to locate services. <1> The majority of the finds from the test-pits were post-medieval in date, with a notable lack of medieval artefacts. Roman material was retrieved from eight out of the 58 test-pits monitored. This did not come from any defined features and was mixed in with post-medieval and modern material, indicating that archaeological remains had been disturbed. Fragments of human skull found from Test-pit 13 in Meeanee Barracks are thought to be from an Anglo-Saxon burial, forming part of a Saxon cemetery in the Mersea Road area. Fragments of bone found in the spoil heap from Test-pit 65 on Abbey Field may possibly be human.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Watching Brief Report: Orr, K. (CAT). 2000. Report on an archaeological watching brief of geotechnical test-pits, Colchester Garrison PFI site. CAT Report 110.

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Record last edited

Oct 12 2015 2:57PM

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