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> SCC110 Serial: Hawkes, Christopher, F. C. & Crummy, Philip. 1995. CAR 11: Camulodunum II. 11. p.109, no. 17, Fig. 2.11 & Fig. 6.2.
- <2> SCC110 Serial: Hawkes, Christopher, F. C. & Crummy, Philip. 1995. CAR 11: Camulodunum II. 11. p.109, no. 18, Fig. 2.11 & Fig. 6.2.
- <3> SCC110 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