Archaeological evaluation covering 6 hectares, was carried out on the site of proposed extension to the water treatment works at Layer-de-la-Haye, Colchester, in an area of known cropmarks. Thirty-two trenches were opened, covering 2560sq m. The majority of the archaeological remains were concentrated towards the north western corner of the site on a slight plateau, although a smaller concentration was also recorded in the south western corner. <1>

The earliest remains uncovered were sherds of late Neolithic pottery from a single pit. Concentrated around the cropmark complex were a number of Late Iron Age features. Three Late Iron Age urned cremation burials were identified immediately to their west. In reasonable proximity to the burials were two pits containing burnt material, which may have been associated with the cremation process, and parts of possibly four ring ditches. Two of the ring ditches had been previously identified in the cropmark plots. None of the ring ditches contained any dateable finds, so their association with the cremation burials is tentative.

Two other foci of activity were also identified, both comprising remains dating to the 13th century. The most northerly, which was situated along Birch Road, comprised a series of medieval ditches in a seemingly perpendicular arrangement. These were possibly parts of small agricultural enclosures along the medieval road. In the south-west corner of the site was the final concentration. While not as coherent as the northern features a series of shallow ditches again seem to indicate the presence of small enclosures.

The post-medieval remains present were primarily field ditches. The remains of a trackway running east-west along the break of slope below the slight plateau may also date to this period.