A pre-determination trial-trenched evaluation was undertaken on land to the north of the A12 in advance of a planning application of a new sports complex (Colchester Northern Gateway plots 2 and 3, c.31ha. in total area)(CBC planning application 180438).<1> 120 trenches (T1-T120) were machine-excavated, each measuring 50m long x 2m wide (a 4% sample of the area evaluated). Approximately 0.30-0.40m of modern plough soil (L2) was machined onto natural sandy-clay and gravel (L2), into which archaeological features were defined. Modern disturbance into natural L2 and across the upper fill of many of the archaeological features (many of which were very shallow) was prevalent, caused by the excavation of modern land drains and by ploughing (visible as plough scars). 24 charcoal-rich pits, probably relating to charcoal production, were defined scattered across both plots 2 and 3. In general, these were sub-round or sub-oval charcoal-rich features, some of which showed evidence of in situ burning (reddening indicative of scorching of the base/sides), some with a think or dense lens of charcoal in the base, some with a single fill of dense charcoal. Dating evidence was mostly lacking but two of the pits contained finds, dated to the Roman (F7 in T16) and post-Roman periods. Part of an early Roman pottery vessel (83 sherds, 348g, from a Cam 119 Butt Beaker) was recovered from charcoal-rich pit F7 (T16), which can be dated to the mid to late 1st century AD. A piece of peg-tile came from the lower fill of charcoal-rich pit F12 (T19); the tile cannot be closely dated, but is unlikely to date prior to the 14th century. Other finds from charcoal-rich pits consist of a heat altered (burnt) flint from F13 (T23) and a small quantity of abraded fired clay fragments from F38 (T44). Although these finds cannot be dated, they are indicative of deliberate heating. Pit F110 (T110), not identified as a charcoal-rich pit in the report but containing a charcoal horizon in its fill, also contained a small quantity of heat altered stones (both flint and quartz) and some possible iron pan or sandy concretion material that may also have been heat altered. Residual finds from later dated contexts included 2-3 fragments of CBM that might be Roman, a sandy greyware pottery sherd that is probably medieval (13th to 14th century), and a few pieces of peg-tile that could date to the medieval period. 69 samples were taken and processed for plant macro-remains. Charred seeds, grains and chaff were very low in number. 57 samples contained identifiable charcoal. Each of these samples contained fragments of oak (Quercus sp.) charcoal. One fragment of oak roundwood was found in F). Fragments of beech (Fagus sylvatica) were only found in charcoal-rich pit samples. Fragments of cherry/plum/sloe (Prunus sp.) charcoal were found in F16, F32 and F50. A fragment of alder (Alnus glutinosa) charcoal was also found. Radiocarbon dates from charcoal in another two of the pits fell in the Middle Iron Age (F32 in T39; 362-183 BC at 95.4% confidence) and late Anglo-Saxon/early Medieval period (F3 in T8; AD 1025-1157). Charred seeds and grains were also RC dated from pits F87, F95 and F111, but these were less successful (some, if not all, were almost certainly intrusive). Other archaeological remains included residual prehistoric work flints; 20 prehistoric worked flints show activity on the development site from the Early Neolithic (possibly the Mesolithic) through to the Bronze Age. A tree throw on the site (F47 in T57) contained a flint blade of Mesolithic or Early Neolithic date which could be contemporary with the feature but could also be residual. A blade was rocovered from F7 (which contained Roman pottery) in T16 and there was a flake/blade anda retouched flake from boundary ditch F78 (T66). All the other flints were from the ploughsoil. There were also a small number of undated pits and tree throws, and a number of post-medieval field boundary ditches, many of which are visible on old OS maps dating from the late 19th-century to the late 1990s, with associated agricultural features. In addition to the prehistoric flints, five gunflints (from the late 18th or 19th centuries) were collected (from the ploughsoil) during the fieldwork. A geophysical survey was undertaken of the area in 2016 (ECC3649).<2>