In response to plans for a new school on the site of Altnacealgach House, the Ministry of Works requested that R. Hull make an archaeological investigation of the proposed school site (now Colchester County High School for Girls/St Benedicts Catholic College). This occupied field 1222 on the 25-in. O.S. map, Essex, N.xxxvii,2. A series of short trenches was cut from the north end of a spinney on the west of the field to the east of a hedge. This was done in such a way that Hull was satisfied no ditch or other feature of any size could pass the line without detection. The results of these were negative with the natural subsoil found at a depth of 2 ft. A second series of trenches was then cut parallel to the south side of Park Road, from the north east corner of the garden, to a point north west of the buildings where they overlapped the first series. The results here were also negative, with subsoil at a depth of 2 ft. One or two trenches were then cut in the centre of field 1222 near the spot where the O.S. maps mark a Roman Amphora found 1907. Here the subsoil was about the same depth. Finally, the west side of the field was investigated together with the field to its west (No. 1225). The first of these trenches revealed a V-shaped ditch. Another series of trenches was then dug along the north side of a field to the south (No. 1273). The results here were negative. Further trenches were then dug to try and follow the V shaped ditch which was found to turn sharply westwards. Two smaller ditches were also located. <1>