Element record MCC2164 - Roman furnace, Royal Grammar School, Colchester

Summary

Roman furnace at the Royal Grammar School (Gurney Benham House), one of three recorded by A.F. Hall in 1937.

Location

Grid reference TL 98711 24815 (point)
Map sheet TL92SE
County ESSEX
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

A Roman flue or furnace discovered during trenching in the grounds of the Royal Grammar School. The furnace was the earliest one of three (see also MCC2165 and MCC2166) found overlying the fill of a ditch (MCC2160). It was built of tiles laid flat for floors, with walls of broken tile and shapeless pieces of 'conglomerate'. The natural loam had been baked red by the heat. The three flues overlapped, the earliest being on the west side and partly overlying the ditch. 'It has been suggested that their purpose was for cremation'.<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. p.259.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Oct 26 2016 12:07PM

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