Element record MCC3005 - Medieval robber trench of Roman Circus wall, Area C1, Garrison Urban Village, Colchester

Summary

One of two substantial medieval robber trenches on position of the Roman Circus wall, recorded in 2004.

Location

Grid reference TL 9964 2457 (point)
Map sheet TL92SE
County ESSEX
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

One of two medieval robber trenches (with MCC3006) which had completely robbed-out two parallel east-west orientated Roman walls from the Roman Circus MCC2805 (although not fully realised at the time of excavation).

This trench robbed-out the larger, northern wall of the structure, which was approximately 0.8m wide and was vertical sided, with a flat base (surviving at a depth of 0.19m). The wall had been supported by two large buttresses, projecting approximately 0.95m out to the north of the wall. The foundation cuts for the buttresses were located 6m apart from one another, and the only complete buttress within the excavation measured 3.8m wide.

Both walls had been completely robbed-out by the medieval robber trenches (although there was no suggestion that the original foundation trenches had been widened during the robbing). The remains of some Roman structural material (greensand stone, flint, septaria and Roman coursing tile) was found within the backfill of the robber trenches.<1>

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> EXCAV REPORT: Pooley, L., Holloway, B., Crummy, P. (CAT) and Masefield, R. (RPS Grp). 2006. Assessment report on the archaeological investigations carried out on Areas C1, C2, E, J1, O, Q and S1 of the Alienated Land, Colchester Garrison, including the Time Team trenches and the Alienated Land watching brief. CAT Report 361, p.29.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Record last edited

Oct 20 2016 2:41PM

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