During 2002-5, large-scale evaluation and excavation was carried out in advance of the construction of the 'New Garrison' at Colchester.<1>-<10> The investigations followed a Desk Based Assessment, fieldwalking and geophysical investigation.
In places watching briefs were undertaken during geotechnical test-pitting<5><6><7> and groundworks.<8> No significant archaeological features were observed.

In 2004/5 an isolated pit in Area M produced a little possibly Neolithic pottery, and several soft hammer flint flakes of probable neolithic date. The pit resembled a waterhole or well.<3>

There were no certain features of Neolithic or Bronze Age date in Excavation Areas 2 ( within Area C), 6 (within Area F) and 10 (within Area DR), but small groups of worked flints mostly found in a residual positions indicate a presence in the Neolithic or Bronze ages, almost certainly of a transient nature.<1>

In 2004 in Area C1 a small group of pits containing Bronze Age pottery was uncovered. Also Area J contained Bronze Age pits and a gully.<2> In Area C1X, a cluster of bronze Age features, consisting of three pits and a possible Bronze Age ditch, may represent the remains of a settlement or could be associated with a burial site <4> Areas of higher concentrations of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pottery, indicative of associated settlement, were encountered within Areas R and E.<3>

In Area 10 there is evidence of Early Iron age activity possibly with traces of a field system, 4-post structures and 4 cremations.<1> Evaluation on site S2 (south) uncovered an Early or Middle Iron Age field system.<12>
In Area 2 there is a Middle Iron Age enclosure and associated features including a roundhouse. Fragments of a loomweight could suggest weaving activities may have taken place within the enclosure. A shallow pit containing the disturbed remnants of a placed pottery vessel was located in the centre of the roundhouse. The pot had the appearance of a cremation vessel but there was no burnt bone. The placing of the pot indicates a ritual deposit. Internal features of Middle iron Age date were sparsse within the enclosure, although a cluster of small pits and post-holes was identified south of the roundhouse.<1> Middle Iron Age features and finds were also encountered across the site in Areas C, E and R, pottery has been found residually in Area F.<3> A small quantity of Middle Iron Age pottery was recovered from a ditch, previously observed as a cropmark (MCC7635).<11>

Evaluation of Areas A, B, D, GJ, H, J, N, V and YP at the Colchester Garrison PFI site by trial-trenching. Revealed built-up nature of large parts of the northern Garrison area.
A prehistoric pit was found, as well as some pottery and flints.<14>

Evaluation of Areas DR, G, M, P, Q, R, RO, S and T at Colchester Garrison PFI site by trial-trenching. Some prehistoric pottery and flint was found.<15>

Archaeological evaluation on the Abbey Field, south of Circular Road North, Colchester.
15 features were identified. Some prehistoric pottery was found.<20>

Archaeological evaluation by trial-trenching at Area J1 of the Garrison Urban Village, Colchester.
17 trenches were excavated and 61 features recorded. Some prehistoric pottery was found.<23>

Archaeological evaluation by trial-trenching at Area E of the Garrison Urban Village, Colchester.
4 trenches were dug and 25 features recorded. Some prehistoric pottery was found.<24>

Archaeological evaluation by trial-trenching on Areas E and F at Colchester Garrison PFI site.
10 trenches were excavated. A total of 331 archaeological contexts were excavated or examined. Prehistoric pottery and lithics were found in Areas E and F respectively.<28>

Archaeological evaluation by trial-trenching on Area C at Colchester Garrison PFI site.
18 trenches were excavated, and a total of 136 archaeological contexts were excavated or examined. Some prehistoric pottery was found.<29>

Archaeological evaluation by fieldwalking and geophysical survey at Colchester Garrison PFI site.
No finds.<30>

The Garrison PFI is located within the iron age settlement of Camulodunum and on the edge of the Roman legionary fortress and town of ‘Colonia Claudia’. Known sites include the Iron Age Berechurch Dyke, Iron Age and Roman cemeteries, Roman Kilns and a Roman road. Also the scheduled site of Abbey of St John, the line of the civil war siege defences. There are also second world war sites.
Mitigation strategies are expected to include excavation or watching briefs alongside geophysical and fieldwalking.<32>

Following an evaluation, four sites 0.5 ha in total were opened on the sports pitch. Finds from Mesolithic, Neolithic and early Bronze Age suggested early activity. A round house of Late Bronze/ early Iron Age date appears to be replaced by Iron Age and Roman agricultural activity, This activity continued with medieval field boundaries. In the 18C there was a farm building, later replaced by a large enclosure, which went out of use in 19C.<36>