Excavations at the Balkerne Gate revealed an important sequence; a: a gravelled surface and road laid, legionary fortress ditch dug - c.43AD b: flimsy stake-hole structures built along the street frontage c: small metalworking workshops and furnaces along the street d: timber buildings along the frontage - c.AD60 e: second defensive ditch dug f: four wooden water pipes running along the street g: the second ditch was backfilled - late C1 h: `pier' building built i: wide defensive ditch dug j: the ditch was widened and dug across the street implying the gate and street were no longer in use k: the `pier' building was demolished. <1> <2> The area immediately W of the Balkerne Gate produced the following sequence. AD43-9 there were flimsy structures along the roadside - possibly a civil settlement outside the legionary fortress. c.AD49-60 the legionary ditch was backfilled and timber houses constructed fronting the London-Colchester road these were burnt 60-61AD. c.61-75AD a second ditch was dug close to its military predecessor; this was backfilled c.75AD. c.75-100AD the monumental gateway was built. 100-175 the town wall and the Balkerne Gate were built incorporating the gateway. <3> Plan of excavation in source 1. <1> Other ref. <4>