Monument record MCC80 - Roman building in Insula 20, East Stockwell Street, Colchester

Summary

Roman large building on North side of Insula 20, recorded during various interventions in the 20th century. Possible baths or basilica.

Location

Grid reference TL 99676 25279 (point)
Map sheet TL92NE
1848 Parish ST MARTIN
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

Massive building represented by an enormous robber trench and a short stretch of foundations and the lowest part of the superstructure. The wall was masonry built of septaria set in hard yellow mortar. The width of the wall above foundation level was in excess of seven feet (2m). The wall may have formed a retaining wall for a terrace. The presence of a monumental building seems likely.<1> Large building covering an estimated area of 50 x 80m occupying the whole eastern half of Insula 20. All but the west side of the building were bounded by Roman streets. That it extended as far as the southern half of the Insula is suggested by the large foundation and floor surface (s) discovered during the last century at 125 High Street (see MCC43 and MCC76). A mortar and septaria drain discovered in one of the rooms suggests that the structure may have been a public bath-house. Evidence for tessellated flooring was discovered.<2> 'In October 1926 Mr E.J. Rudsdale observed the remains of a wall running N-S by the E side of East Stockwell Street'.<3>

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Article in serial: Dunnett, B.R.K.. 1971. Excavations in Colchester, 1964-8. Transactions of the Essex Archaeological Society Vol. 3, Part 1. pp.38-39.
  • <2> Article in serial: Benfield, Stephen and Garrod, Simon. 1992. Two recently-discovered Roman buildings in Colchester. Essex Archaeology and History Vol. 23, 25-38. p.26.
  • <3> Monograph: Hull, M.R.. 1958. Roman Colchester: Reports of the Research Committee of the Society of Antiquaries of London. No. XX. p.159.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (4)

Record last edited

Dec 8 2016 2:57PM

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