Monument record MCC10054 - The 'Laver ditch', Colchester

Summary

The 'Laver ditch' (Ditch 9), aligned NW-SE, runs from Gryme's Dyke (west) to Shrub End Dyke (east) at Peartree Junction at the point Prettygate Dyke intersects with Shurb End Dyke, c.500m in length. The west end of the 'Laver ditch' also converges with (and cuts) the west end of the 'Palisaded earthwork' (MCC7085). Both post-date Gryme's Dyke (MCC7465), which is itself post-conquest in date.

Location

Grid reference Centred TL 9644 2395 (433m by 222m)
Map sheet TL92SE
County ESSEX
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

A.F. Hall cut a section across the ditch in 1936 (TL 96512375). An 18m long east-west trench was excavated at the northern end of field 1302 and was positioned to section Ditch 9. The ditch was cut obliquely and found to be 1.2m deep below modern ground level and (after allowing for the angle of the
cut) c.3.0m wide. Mr Hall wrote, 'At the bottom there is an almost stoneless silt. Above the silt the soil filling grows progressively more stony. There was no pottery here or anywhere in the dig.'<1><3>

It was also observed in 1953 (TL 964023696).<2>

It would appear that the ditch was also defined in several locations (recorded as ditch F2) during the construction of the Southern Outfall Sewer Scheme in 1979-80 (ECC3894).

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Serial: Hawkes, Christopher, F. C. & Crummy, Philip. 1995. CAR 11: Camulodunum II. 11. p.109, no. 17, Fig. 2.11 & Fig. 6.2.
  • <2> Serial: Hawkes, Christopher, F. C. & Crummy, Philip. 1995. CAR 11: Camulodunum II. 11. p.109, no. 18, Fig. 2.11 & Fig. 6.2.
  • <3> Serial: Hawkes, Christopher, F. C. & Crummy, Philip. 1995. CAR 11: Camulodunum II. 11. pp.171-172..

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Record last edited

Nov 8 2016 10:01AM

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.