Archaeological excavations at the Garrison sports pitch, Circular Road North, Colchester, Essex (Abbey Field): February-March 2000

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.