Colchester Archaeological Trust

CAT Report 138: summary

Archaeological excavations at the Garrison sports pitch, Circular Road North, Colchester, Essex (Abbey Field): February-March 2000
by Crossan, C (with contributions from Benfield, S; Black, E; Crummy, N; Fryer, V; Wade, A; Walker, J.)

Date report completed: 30/05/2001
Location: Garrison, Colchester, Essex
Map reference(s): TL99542441
File size: 15059 kb
Project type: Excavation
Significance of the results: * *
Keywords: Geophysical survey, Roman burial, human bone, Roman pottery, Roman ditch, trackway/droveway, post-medieval, oven/hearth, small finds, Roman cremation, iron nails, roman glass, animal bone, samian ware, coins, ceramic lamp, pollen analysis

Summary. This report describes the results from an excavation and watching brief on the site of a Roman cemetery at the Garrison sports pitch in Circular Road North, Colchester, Essex (Abbey Field). The investigation was prompted by the proposed replacement of the original grassed pitch with an artificial 'Astroturf' surface, laid on a deep bed of graded stones. Preparations for the new pitch involved reducing the ground to predetermined depths of up to 600mm, as well as trenching for the installation of new floodlighting and drainage.