Colchester Archaeological Trust

CAT Report 648: summary

An archaeological watching brief at 3 Roman Road, Colchester, Essex - May 2012
by Chris Lister (with contributions from -)

Date report completed: May 2012
Location: 3 Roman Road, Colchester, Essex
Map reference(s): TM 00178 22305
File size: 87 kb
Project type: Watching brief
Significance of the results: neg
Keywords: -

Summary. A planning application was submitted to Colchester Borough Council for the construction of a conservatory within the existing rear garden of 3 Roman Road. As the site is adjacent to the town wall, a Scheduled Ancient Monument (Essex SAM no 7), a watching brief condition was attached to the planning consent. The watching brief called for the archaeological monitoring of the topsoil- and subsoil-stripping and associated groundworks, in order to identify and record any surviving archaeological deposits. A foundation trench covering an area 3m by 3.25m was hand-dug by contractors immediately to the rear of the house. This was excavated through concrete patio slabs and an associated sand gravel base. Below this was a layer of dark brown loam which was interpreted as the upper level of the garden soil. The foundation trench was excavated 200mm into this layer and then halted at the required dig depth. A few sherds of pottery were recovered from the excavation, but these were not retained as they clearly dated to the 20th century. No archaeological contexts were distinguishable in the bottom of the trench.