Colchester Archaeological Trust

CAT Report 357: summary

A watching brief at Colchester New Garrison (Phase 1), Colchester, Essex: February 2004-December 2005
by Brooks, H; Masefield, R (with contributions from Benfield, S; Crummy, N; Martingell, H.)

Date report completed: 04/04/2006
Location: Garrison, Colchester, Essex
Map reference(s): TL99302300
File size: 24402 kb
Project type: Watching brief
Significance of the results: * *
Keywords: prehistoric, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, post-medieval, cropmarks, oppidum, Roman ditch, small finds, Roman pottery, flint, lithics, trackway/droveway

Summary. During 2002-03, large-scale evaluation and excavation was carried out in advance of the construction of the ‘New Garrison' at Colchester. A watching brief held during construction work in 2004-05 revealed 72 archaeological features and a number of loose finds. Some of the features, principally Roman linear ditches, are parts of field ditches and trackways already known as cropmarks (or revealed in previous evaluations or excavations), whereas others are additions to the previously-known network of fields and tracks within the oppidum of Camulodunum. Other features are undated, or of modern origin.