Flexed inhumation burial (CF27, Grave 1), skeleton positioned on its side with head placed under lower legs. The top of the skeleton was truncated by a modern service trench.<1><5>
The report (pp.221-222) records, 'Inhumation burial CF27 was located within grave 1. The grave was aligned north-west to south-east but the north-west end of the grave had been completely cut away. The surviving grave measured 1.3m by 0.53m and was 0.14m deep. Inhumated human bone: Approximately 50% of the skeleton (1960g) had survived within the grave, consisting of the lower body and skull from a young adult (20-35 years) who was possibly female and measured 173.3cm +/- 3.72cm. The skull/head appears to have been decapitated from the body and buried under the feet, although little evidence for severance of the head prior to death or decomposition was recorded on the skull. Residual finds: Pottery sherds, some tile and a single animal bone fragment. Date: Late 2nd to the mid-late 3rd century + (based on the date of the residual pottery sherds).
The practice of decapitating the head of the deceased post-mortem using a scalpel has been identified elsewhere in Colchester's Roman cemeteries and other sites in the country.<2><3><4>