Element record MCC1982 - Roman masonry wall, Telephone Exchange Site (Insula 18), Colchester

Summary

Roman masonry wall discovered during excavations at the Telephone Exchange Site, West Stockwell Street, in 1950.

Location

Grid reference TL 99492 25297 (point)
Map sheet TL92NE
County ESSEX
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

A substantial masonry wall on the eastern edge of Insula 18, running alongside, but not quite parallel to a north -south street (MCC760) and crossing over an east-west street (MCC1975). At its south end the wall was shown to turn an approximate right angle to the west. It was of poor quality construction with a massive foundation of rough septaria blocks, 5ft. wide and 2ft. 6in. deep laid in mortar. The foundation was of unusual construction and may have been of more than one phase. It supported a wall from a building of 'some size and importance'. This was evidenced by a single brick pier 3ft. wide and at least 4ft. 9in. long. Its top was flat and mortared to receive two parallel stone slabs. The width of the wall increased downwards by several small offsets on either side. There was slight evidence for another pier suggesting a sequence of them which may have represented the 'intervals between the columns of a colonnade'. No trace of a floor was found associated with the wall but to the west was the remains of one or more cellar-type excavations.<1>

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Monograph: Hull, M.R.. 1958. Roman Colchester: Reports of the Research Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London. No. XX. pp.98-100.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Oct 31 2016 10:18AM

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