Monument record MCC1777 - Romano-Celtic temple next to the River Colne, Colchester

Summary

Romano-Celtic Temple situated between the River Colne and Colne Bank Avenue, on the south bank of the River (close to the West Way river crossing).

Location

Grid reference TL 98915 26050 (point)
Map sheet TL92NE
County ESSEX
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

A Romano-Celtic Temple of two phases situated between the River Colne and Colne Bank Avenue. The cella walls of the first phase were constructed on gravel foundations; those of the ambulatory were destroyed by a later rebuilding in stone (MCC1775). In phase 2, the cella was re-built, the wooden posts of the frame being set into the solid clay floor of the first cella. The temple was destroyed by fire, probably during the Boudican revolt.<1> The early Temple was built of timber with wattle-and-daub walls. Four floors of yellow clay were sealed by destruction debris from the building. As far as could be seen the building conformed in plan to the later stone structure (MCC1775).<2> The temenos wall (MCC1781) cut through a pair of pottery kilns (MCC1815 and MCC1816) which were contemporary with the early timber building suggesting that the temenos wall was a later addition and therefore was not contemporary with it.<3>

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Monograph: Rodwell, Warwick. 1980. Temples, Churches and Religion in Roman Britain. BAR British Series 77. p.256.
  • <2> Serial: Colchester Archaeological Group. 1959. Colchester Archaeological Group Bulletin 2, part 3. 3. pp.36-39.
  • <3> Serial: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies. 1961. Vol. LI . Journal of Roman Studies. I & II. p.185.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Jan 24 2017 8:13AM

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