Element record MCC3085 - Post-Roman topsoil or ‛dark earth’, adjacent to the Ranger Station, Upper Castle Park, Colchester
Summary
A Roman layer L14 (not further investigated) was sealed by dark greyish-brown post-Roman topsoil or ‘dark earth’ (L12), which at the south-east corner of the shed was approximately 400-450mm thick. The ‘dark earth’ (L12) was observed in most of the trenches at the Ranger Station, although it was often truncated as a result of later activity.
Location
| Grid reference | TL 9994 2554 (point) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | TL92NE |
| County | ESSEX |
| Non Parish Area | COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX |
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
Much of the ‘dark earth’ (L12) probably accumulated in a shallow post-Roman ditch, which extended from south to north under the western part of the Ranger Station. This ditch was located immediately to the south of the Ranger Station in 1983-4 (CAR 6, 372).<1><2>
Further south, in the sand play area, the thick deposits of post-Roman topsoil or ‘dark earth’ that were uncovered in 2014 probably also accumulated as backfill in the ditch (F3). The ‘dark earth’ (L12) excavated on the east side of the shed at the Ranger Station probably lay near the eastern edge of the ditch. Further west, the bottom of L12 was not reached, but in this area L12 was presumably slightly thicker, where it lay nearer the middle of the ditch.
Sources/Archives (2)
- <1> SCC1068 Evaluation Report: Shimmin, Don (CAT). 2015. Archaeological investigations in Upper Castle Park, Colchester, Essex. April 2014-January 2015. CAT report 814.
- <2> SCC101 Monograph: Crummy, Philip. 1992. CAR 6: Excavations at Culver Street, the Gilberd School, and other sites in Colchester 1971-85. 6. p.372.
Finds (0)
Protected Status/Designation
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Record last edited
Jan 9 2017 11:36AM