A late Iron Age manufacturing and commercial centre at Sheepen. The site was first investigated during excavations in the 1930's (ECC328) and in the 1970's (ECC488 and ECC406). This site appears to have been the base for industrial and commercial activity at Camulodunum. Its proximity to the river took advantage of waterborne transport and the site was provided with its own defences in the form of Sheepen Dyke (see MCC498). Before the arrival of the Romans it was a manufacturing area under Cunobelin. The site included a track way (MCC598) and his coin-mint (MCC599) as evidenced by numerous fragments of coin-flan mould (MCC1355). There was also evidence of occupation (see MCC581, MCC582 and MCC584), etc. After the Roman conquest industrial activity in the area intensified (see MCC1412).<1><2>