Monument record MCC762 - Roman Street of Legionary Fortress, Colchester

Summary

Roman E to W military street recorded during excavations at Culver Street 1981-2 and 1984-5.

Location

Grid reference Centred TL 9948 2508 (18m by 0m) (2 map features)
Map sheet TL92NE
1848 Parish THE HOLY TRINITY
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

During excavations at Culver Street in 1981-2 & 1984-5 (ECC337), an east-west military street was excavated which lay to the west of the via principalis (MCC760), and between two Barrack Blocks (MCC753 and MCC754).
The street was found to be well preserved being 4.6m wide and consisting of well-packed metalling, 0.25 to 0.30m thick over a make-up of sand. The street had a firm flat surface which was carefully laid between the walls of the adjacent barracks. The make-up layer sealed evidence of an earlier gravelled surface. The gravelled street extended northwards around the south-west corner of the centurion's quarters of the northern barracks (MON522), although the metalling was thinner and of an inferior quality, sealing some occupation and a hearth (see MCC773). The street sloped downwards from west to east and north to south. A neatly constructed timber-lined drain lay along the south side of the street (MCC767) and the street was cut by a possible water-main (MCC768).
Following the military abandonment of the fortress the street was resurfaced in places.
After the Boudican revolt in AD 60/1, the street was cleared of destruction debris and re-used, although it was encroached upon by a new building (MCC800) to the north. The water-main (MCC768) was pulled up and along with the drain (MCC767), the resulting trench was backfilled and consolidated.<1>

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Monograph: Crummy, Philip. 1992. CAR 6: Excavations at Culver Street, the Gilberd School, and other sites in Colchester 1971-85. 6. pp.43-44.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Jan 21 2017 9:47AM

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