Salvage excavation and watching brief during construction of the N extension of the inner relief road. A new river channel was cut to divert the Colne slightly S of existing. During the contractors excavations an area of extensively burnt soil on the S bank of the river was noted by workmen. In view of the pre-Flavian pottery subsequently found on the site it is likely that this is the remains of a kiln. Not seen by Col Archaeol Trust. Contractors pit also allowed examination of the previous course of the river and character of the various silts. Silt layers attributable to the Roman period were sand and gravel with some silt. The lowest layers contained substantial quantities of broken, unrolled, pre-Flavian pottery including wasters and underfired sherds indicating derviation from a pottery kiln nearby contemporary with the activity at Sheepen. There was change in the deposition pattern in the late Roman or Anglo-Saxon period, the river flow becoming sluggish. <1>