Excavations in the NW corner of Insula 17a revealed traces of a succesion of Roman buildings. The earliest (still under excavation) is a legionary barrack block, built c.AD 44. This consists of pebble and mortar plinths for external walls and slots for the partitions of the men's quarters (conturbernia). The barrack block faces S across an ungravelled alleyway associated with a timber-lined drain, a series of rubbish pits, and small ovens, has been located. Vestigial traces of pre-Boudican timber-framed structures were found, one of which was in use in AD60/1 when it was burnt in the Boudiccan revolt. In addition to a series of pits and midden deposits dating from the 1st to 3rd centuries, two infant burials were found. The latest Roman feature was a small building, probably C3-C4. The only post Roman features were a medieval lime kiln and ?furnace. <1> <2> <3>

Site Assessment = The first time in Colchester when it was possible to excavate the `conturbernia' of the barrack block in some detail. <3>