Colchester Archaeological Trust

CAT Report 892: summary

Archaeological watching briefs at Abbey House, St John’s Green, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7EZ: March 2013-June 2014
by Donald Shimmin (with contributions from Philip Crummy, Stephen Benfield)

Date report completed: April 2017
Location: Abbey House, St John’s Green, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7EZ
Map reference(s): TL 9970 2472
File size: 20, 832 kb
Project type: Archaeological watching briefs
Significance of the results: **
Keywords: Roman, medieval, pottery, lime pit, foundation, carved stone, well, brick soakaway, brick storage tank, air-raid shelter, graffiti

Summary. [including watching briefs on the edges of the Abbey House site undertaken on behalf of Taylor Wimpey] Significant medieval and later remains were recorded in 2013-14 during the redevelopment of the Abbey House site, which lies to the south of St John’s Green in Colchester. Little or no definite evidence for Roman deposits was identified during the watching brief, although a quantity of residual Roman finds was recovered from later contexts. Remains probably associated with St John’s abbey included traces of the abbey precinct walls, several other building foundations, and a lime pit. During machine-trenching in the north-eastern corner of the site, approximately 70 pieces of stone were unearthed, many of which were carved and probably derive from abbey buildings. Among the later remains uncovered were a post-medieval well and several Victorian brick features, including a soakaway, two storage tanks, and the foundations of a greenhouse. A WW2 air-raid shelter with a connecting corridor to Abbey House was also recorded.