Element record MCC658 - Roman timber water-main, Balkerne Hill, Colchester

Summary

Roman timber water-main discovered during excavations at Balkerne Lane between 1973-6.

Location

Grid reference Not recorded
Map sheet Not recorded
1848 Parish ST PETER
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

No mapped location recorded.

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

During excavations at Balkerne Lane between 1973-6 (ECC332), a Roman timber-lined water main was discovered. The main consisted of a series of straight wooden pipes about 0.2m in diameter and 2.0-2.5m long. These were held together by flat iron bands hammered into the walls of pipes to form water-tight and pressure resistant joints.

The water-main ran along the southern edge of the main Colchester to London Road (MCC475) and was one of a group (see also MCC653 and MCC657) which lined this route, possibly feeding into the properties which fronted onto the street. The pipes were set into a trench. During the early to middle 2nd century the water-mains were diverted from their course to pass under the southern portal of the Balkerne Gate (MCC555). The pipes were taken from their original position and transferred to a new trench dug into the street for this purpose. The pipes eventually went out of use when the but ends of the town ditch (MCC659) were joined together.<1>

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Monograph: Crummy, Philip. 1981. CAR 3: Excavations at Lion Walk, Balkerne Lane and Middleborough, Colchester, Essex. 3. p.117.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Oct 14 2016 3:26PM

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