Excavations by Colchester Archaeological Trust in advance of road building (Colchester Eastern Approaches Road) on the site of 79 Hythe Hill (the former Colchester Tractors site), revealed a series of medieval and post medieval buildings. Nine periods of activity were revealed including two phases of medieval and post-medieval building. Many of the earliest finds occur in residual contexts and include a prehistoric flint, Roman pottery and brick fragments, a late Saxon strap end and medieval pottery. The first structural activity on site was a phase of pits/post holes. This was followed by a three roomed structure with a pair of ovens standing some distance from it. The structure was later renovated and then completely rebuilt on the spot. Later periods saw further changes to this structure including the addition of a smithy. The whole site was rebuilt in the 19th century but archaeological deposits connected with the later history of the site had been largely removed by recent terracing during construction of the Colchester Tractors showroom.<1><2><3><4>