Element Group record MCC3133 - Group of Roman features at St Helena School, Colchester

Summary

A Mid-Late Bronze Age pit and Roman features (pits, wall foundation, metalled surface and a ditch), as well as a post-medieval ditch and undated features (4 pits and two ditches), were defined by trial-trenched evaluation within and, to the east of, the internal area (precinct or temenos) of Colchester Temple II.

Location

Grid reference TL 9893 2576 (point)
Map sheet TL92NE
County ESSEX
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (8)

Full Description

A total of 18 features were recorded, concentrated in (but not exclusively) in Trenches 1 and 2, the two westernmost trenches that lie within the temple precinct: 10 Roman (seven pits, a partially robbed wall foundation, one ditch and one metalled surface); one mid/late Bronze Age pit; one post-Medieval ditch; six undated features (four pits and two ditches); and one natural feature. The wall foundation, aligned N to S and defined at the east end of T1, appears to have been part of the precinct (temenos) wall for the late 1st century Roman temple (Temple 2) known to have been located on the site. <1>

A large quantity of Roman finds were also recorded including two coins which belong to the post conquest pre-Boudican occupation of Sheepen, a brooch fragment and briquetage which may also date to before AD 60/1, and a number of potsherds dating primarily from the 1st to the early 2nd century. The majority of the features and finds recorded on the site were 1st to early 2nd century in date, including two coins which belong to the post-conquest pre-Boudican occupation of Sheepen.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Evaluation Report: Pooley, Laura (CAT). 2007. An archaeological evaluation at St Helena School, February 2007. CAT report 414.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Aug 11 2015 11:08AM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.