Colchester Archaeological Trust

CAT Report 253: summary

An archaeological watching brief on a gas-pipeline trench along East Stockwell Street, Colchester, Essex: September-November 2003
by Orr, K (with contributions from Crummy, N)

Date report completed: 02/02/2004
Location: Colchester town centre, Essex
Map reference(s): TL99782524
File size: 881 kb
Project type: Watching brief
Significance of the results: *
Keywords: robber trench, ceramic building materials, Roman building, mortar floor, coins, metalled surface

Summary. An archaeological watching brief was carried out along the road line of East Stockwell Street, Colchester, Essex during trenching for the replacement of the gas main. The ground had been disturbed by the existing gas main and other services. However, near William's Walk, a wide robber trench was recorded extending east to west and filled by Roman building material. This robber trench had been dug to remove a wall foundation of a large Roman building. In one of the northernmost trenches, two mortar layers appear to represent floor bases from two phases of a Roman building.