An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Colchester Archaeological Trust in 1997 on the site of the now redundant St Mary's Hospital site (former Colchester Union Workhouse), Balkerne Hill (Pope's Lane), in 1997. Despite restrictions imposed by the standing buildings on the site, 16 trenches were opened (300m in total length) under archaeological supervision using a JCB. The location of trenches was specifically targeted at areas where the site would be affected by the proposed development. Deposits were removed by JCB down to the highest significant deposits, usually the Roman topsoil level. Below the machined level, all cleaning and excavation was done by hand. The trenches revealed that there are stratified Roman remains on the south edge of the site as seen within trenches 10, 14 and 16. These are close to a previously known building and may be associated with it. As a result of modern truncation these deposits lie very close to the modern surface. In the central part of the site, deposits containing burnt daub provide evidence for a burnt structure dated before AD120 and therefore possibly Boudican (trenches 6 and 7). This burnt debris lies to the east of the a previously recorded building. On the northern edge of the site, in the vicinity of the previously recorded temple-like building (see ECC351; trench 1 was located to intersect with the approx. location of this building), another stone structure was discovered (trench 2). A single inhumation burial (probably later Roman) was found on the eastern edge of the site (trench 11) and other minor discoveries included gravelled surfaces (trenches 7, 11) and Roman cut features (trenches 13, 1, 3). Trench 1 produced a L-shaped Roman cut-feature, c.2m below the ground level. Pre-Roman remains were confined to two prehistoric struck flints and single sherd of possibly prehistoric pottery. There were no significant post-Roman deposits or finds.<1><2> (=EHER no. MCC4945)