An archaeological strip, map and record (a watching brief) was carried in 2015 out at the University of Essex, Colchester as part of the Parkside office development (Phase 1a). All groundworks were carried out by mechanical excavator under archaeological supervision. The haul road was stripped to a depth of approximately 500mm through modern topsoil (L1, 180mm thick) onto natural sands and gravels (L2, identified at a depth of 180mm below current ground level). The area to the east of the haul road was stripped to a depth of approximately 700mm through modern hard-standing (150mm thick) onto modern subsoil (L3, 170mm thick). Natural sands and gravels (L2, identified at a depth of 320mm bcgl) were identified beneath L3. A single Roman pit (F1), measuring 780mm in diameter and with a charcoal-rich fill, was identified containing 11 sherds of Late Iron Age/early Roman and early Roman pottery (late 1st century BC – mid 1st century AD).<1>