Postern gate first found and excavated by Dr Duncan in 1853. Re-excavated 1929. Simple plan formed by walls turning inwards to make a simple entrance 10'8" wide. Piers still stand to height of 6-8 ft. <1> <2> The gate was discovered by Dr PM Duncan who published his work - see source 4. There are references to the work while in progress in Wm Wires Diary (source 5). The Colchester Excavation Committee thoroughly explored the remains in 1927-9. A large part of the tower lay flat on the ground, opposite the centre of the gateway, on the inside. It was in several pieces, the largest including parts of two windows. This gave valuable information on the upper part of the gateway. Two possible reconstructions of the form of the gateway are discussed by Hull. The 1927-9 excavations showed that the road and a drain below it were contemporary with the gate. Few finds were made including snail shells, pottery (including colour coated wares) a small illegible C4 bronze coin. The original road surface showed little wear and Hull suggests that it was barricaded from not long after its construction until the C4 (post hole in the gateway centre may have been for the barricade. Two burnt floors were found in the gateway (both above layer with C4 coin), Hull suggests that the gate was reopened in the C4. After the first fire the floor was replaced but this was followed by a more destructive fire, interpreted by HUll as evidence for the sack of Roman Colchester. Duncan gives a description of the remains he found, including weapons, human bones, horse bones, much charred wood (more found in later excvation). <3> <4> <5> upper part of a Roman gateway in this country." <3>

Site Assessment = "The block of fallen masonry is probably the only remaining portion of the