Trial-trenched archaeological evaluation by Colchester Archaeological Trust on the site of the proposed pavilion at St Helena School (currently school playing field) revealed thirteen archaeological features. Three features were dated either Late Iron Age or Roman - two pits/post-holes, and a gravel surface; the other ten features included two post-medieval ditches (one aligned on a pre-school field boundary shown on the 1875 OS Map), and eight undated pits or post-holes. All features were sealed by 0.65m of overburden (modern topsoil, and subsoil).<1>

There was one (possibly two) sherd of Late Iron Age pottery. Of the few sherds of Roman pottery that can be more closely dated, most are of mid 1st-2nd/3rd century date. There is also an abraded sherd from a mortarium, dated to the later 3rd-4th century (L1). Later (post-Roman) finds include a large rim from a medieval cooking pot (F13) dating from the 13th-14th century and a thin piece of tile that appears to be peg-tile (L1) that can be dated to the medieval or post-medieval period. There is also the metal end from a modern shot-gun cartridge (F7). A very small amount of animal bone was also recovered, all in a poor condition.

One of the common features of excavations and evaluations at St Helena is the discovery of gravel surfaces, both inside and outside the precinct of Colchester Temple 2. The gravel surface found here shows that they are more extensive than had been thought. As the evaluation trench was approximately 65m outside the precinct wall of Temple 2, and 90m east of the nearest temple-related structure, the evaluated area is presumably peripheral to the temple complex. Whether the features are actually connected with the temple complex is difficult to say, and it may be that they are of an industrial or domestic character.