Element Group record MCC10080 - Roman features, former Meeanee & Hyderabad Barracks (Site K), Colchester

Summary

Three phases of Roman ditch, two or more Roman pits, a pit or possible grave, and a semi-circular gully, recorded during 2011 Site K excavation, in advance of the redevelopment of the former Meeanee & Hyderabad Barracks, Mersea Road.

Location

Grid reference TL 9998 2446 (point)
Map sheet TL92SE
County ESSEX
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (4)

Full Description

Site K contained three phases of Roman ditch, two or more Roman pits, a pit or possible grave, and a semi-circular gully. There were also undated pits and post-holes, and natural features.<1>

There were three Roman ditches on different alignments. The earliest was ditch terminal KF08, aligned NNW to SSE and dated by pottery to mid-1st to 2nd century. Ditch KF3/KF24, aligned E to W, cut KF08 but was also dated to the 1st-2nd century. The third Roman ditch was KF17, which probably cut KF02 (the exact point of contact being removed by a modern footing). There were four pits on the western side of this ditch, and roughly aligned on it, KF3, KF6, KF18, and KF20 (although KF3 was a little off the alignment). It seems likley that this is the same feature as that defined in Site C c.120m to the northeast. Pits KF3 and KF6 each contained a Roman potsherd.

There are no definite burials here. However, the plan of KF04 might suggest a possible grave, although there is no supporting evidence by way of human remains, coffin nails or wood stains. Its fill contained four Roman sherds, two pieces of Roman tile, and a cut lead strip. The other is the gully KF09/KF16, which resembles, in part, the ring-ditches around ‘Anglo-Saxon’ burials on Site A (MCC10073), 50m to the north (and in particular the penannular gully AF30). There was, however, no associated burial.
A late Roman date might be inferred for post-holes KF22-3, which cut gully KF09. It is was not clear whether these features are associated with KF9/16, and it was suggested they might represent stock sorting ditches or pens with the curving gully.
Pit KF15, ditch KF1, and post-hole KF23 were undated.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> EXCAV REPORT: Brooks, Howard. 2016. A Late Iron Age dyke, Roman and Anglo-Saxon burials, a Roman coin hoard, and a Civil War fort: Stage 1b archaeological evaluation and Stage 2 excavation at Colchester Garrison Alienated Land Area A1. pp.111-113.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Dec 15 2016 1:17PM

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