Element Group record MCC10064 - ?Late Prehistoric Pits, Northern Approach Road, Colchester

Summary

Archaeological monitoring during the construction of the Northern Approach Road (A1341 Via Urbis Romanae) in 2013 defined seven scattered pits, all undated but with similar, distinctive charcoal-rich fills.

Location

Grid reference Centred TL 9957 2836 (447m by 578m)
Map sheet TL92NE
County ESSEX
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

Seven pits (F1, F6, F7, F11, F13, F14 and F15) with charcoal-rich fills were identified during archaeological monitoring along the route of the Northern Approach Road.<1> None of the pits contained datable artefacts and no rediocarbon dating was attempted. These pits were thought to be associated with a military encampment from the First World War.<1>

Similar pits were encountered in the evaluation in 2001 (ECC2811).<2>

Similar pits were also defined during trial trenching in the grounds of Severalls Hosiptal, to the east and west of the road (MCC10063). Radiocarbon analysis of a charcoal sample from one of the pits (F68, Trench 35 on the east side of the Northern Approach Road) returned a date within the 2nd century BC.<3>

The pits also possess a strong similarity to those defined during excavations in advance of the Park & Ride site on the north side of the A12 (MCC9325), dated broadly to the 1st century AD.<4>

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1> Watching Brief Report: Baister, Mark. 2014. Archaeological monitoring at Northern Approach Road Phase III Colchester, Essex. CAT Report 728.
  • <2> Evaluation Report: Crossan, Carl (CAT). 2001. An archaeological evaluation on the route for Colchester Northern Approach Road Phase 3 (Severalls Hospital/Cuckoo Farm), Colchester, Essex. CAT Report 159.
  • <3> Evaluation Report: Brittain, Marcus. 2016. Severalls Hospital, Colchester: An Archaeological Evaluation.
  • <4> EXCAV REPORT: Dyson, A. (Archaeology South-East). 2015. Cuckoo Farm Park and Ride Myland, Colchester, Essex: Post-Excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design Report.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (4)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Nov 17 2016 2:08PM

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