In May 1997 Norman Bone visited the building site for the new YMCA hostel. The building work had uncovered a culvert tall enough to stand in, which was constructed of stone but arched over in tile. There were also three hearths made of tile. There were also 'traces of a substantial stone wall made of large flints but including a few pieces of worked stone with mouldings. Associated with this wall were seven floor levels, the one at the bottom being made of hard compacted clay. At the level of this floor were pieces of medieval pottery, including two jug handles in grey fabric'. A mould of fine-grained limestone, for an elaborate buckle, was also discovered. Paul Sealey identified the mould as (probably) Anglo-Saxon in date.<1>

A limited evaluation was undertaken by Colchester Archaeological Trust in 1992 (ECC967).<2>