Element Group record MCC100 - Element Group, Angel Yard, Colchester

Summary

Late 1st-century and early 2nd-century pits, midden and hearth, Anglo-Saxon pits and 11th to 14th-century robber trenches, pits, hearth, gullies and post-holes, recorded during excavations between 1986 and 1989.

Location

Grid reference TL 99631 25253 (point)
Map sheet TL92NE
1848 Parish ST RUNWALD
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (7)

Full Description

Area to north-west of MCC87 (CAT Building 171) revealed Roman features which had survived later terracing of the site. They included pits and stake-holes cutting the Boudican destruction layer, a late 1st century midden deposit, also cut by pits and a gravel filled trench and hearth. No unequivocal Roman structural features were revealed in this area.

Evidence for Anglo-Saxon activity on the site took the form of a shallow pit containing grass-tempered pottery (MCC101) and possibly some later pits. Roman foundations were robbed for stone mainly in the 11th and 13th centuries, as evidenced by robber trenches. Away from the High Street frontage, the dark earth was cut by a large number of pits, mostly of late 12th or 13th century date. Gullies and a large number of stake holes were also discovered cutting the top of the dark earth, especially in the north-west corner. Together with a hearth and two possible foundations (MCC108 and MCC109), these indicate ephemeral structures of probable 13th- to 14th-century date.

East of MCC106 (CAT Building 177), medieval activity was represented by pits dug both before and after the demolition of the building c.AD 1500.<1>

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Article in serial: Shimmin, Don and Carter, G. (CAT). 1996. Excavations at Angel Yard, High Street, Colchester, 1986 and 1989. pp.38-42.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Sep 19 2017 1:09PM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.