Element record MCC2887 - Roman inhumation, Topfield, Rawstorn Road, Colchester

Summary

One of two Roman inhumation burials (F1) recording during a watching brief in the south-eastern part of the Topfield site in 2007.

Location

Grid reference TL 99023 25215 (point)
Map sheet TL92NE
County ESSEX
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

One of two burials (see also MCC2888) exposed in the south-eastern part of the Topfield site, Rawstorn Road in 2007. These are thought to be associated with the four inhumations found during the 2001 evaluation (ECC2911), and are most probably outliers to the known Roman cemetery at the adjacent St Mary’s hospital site.<1>

Both F1 and F2 were visible as darker grave cuts within natural sand. They occurred at 1m below pre-reduction ground-level. No bone survived in F1 but two iron nails were found at the western end of the grave cut which may be coffin nails. One flint flake was also found at the western end of F1,
but its presence in the grave may be coincidental, especially given its location at what was either the head or foot end of the grave. Burial F1 was aligned WNW to ESE.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Watching Brief Report: Orr, Kate (CAT). 2007. An archaeological watching brief and partial excavation at Topfield, Rawstorn Road, Colchester, Essex, August 2006-May 2007. CAT Report 423, p.3.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Dec 20 2016 1:47PM

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