Area 1, NW part of Severalls Hospital site, Colchester (CBC planning application 152733). Trial trenched evaluation in June to August 2016 by Cambridge Archaeological Unit defined charcoal-filled pits in a number of trenches in the northern part of the site (Trenches T14 to T18)(ECC3797).<1> A brief was prepared for additional trial-trenching in November 2016 to further define the extent of archaeological activity (an area of c.1.8ha.). Unfortunately, the area was stripped of topsoil by the developer, without archaeological supervision, during very wet weather, and subsequently tracked over, before archaeological investigation was carried out to identify and record any surviving archaeological remains. Despite this, the archaeological horizon was largely intact and features could be discerned and were able to be investigated after cleaning.<2> A total of four, shallow charcoal pits [1104], [1117], [1108] and [1121] were present within the area. The pits, which were generally c.0.60-1.90m in diameter, were characterised by the high frequency of charcoal and visually distinct concentration of burnt materials within the fill. The fill of [1117] returned a C14 date of 1746-1611 cal. BC at 95.4% probability, placing the feature in the latter part of the Early Bronze Age. The fill of [1108] returned a C14 date of 394-208 cal. BC at 95.4% probability, with a 63.2% probability within this range of 317-208 BC date, placing the feature in the Middle Iron Age. The fill of [1104] returned a calibrated C14 date of 160 BC-50 AD at 95.4% probability, with a 88.8% probability within this range of 116 BC-30 AD date, placing the feature in the Late Iron Age. Three ditches were also defined: Ditch 1 in the SE corner of the site, aligned WNW-ESE, Ditches 2 and 3 aligned NNE-SSW; finds from Ditches 2 and 3 were post-medieval in date (and they are shown on the 1800 OS map). A number of modern features were tested; the features were mostly modern ground disturbance or modern tree rooting. A pit [1102] located in the northern edge of the excavation area contained a large volume of modern pottery and various objects relating to the hospital. Two additional trial trenches were excavated to the east (T3) and west (T2) of the stripped area. One further charcoal-rich pit [1124] was defined in T3. A sample of the charcoal was retained for scientific dating which returned a C14 date of 797-545 cal. BC at 95.4% probability, with a 44.8% probability within this range of 650-545 BC date, placing the feature in the Early Iron Age.