#FindsFriday Colchesters Roman Circus

Well as it is #FindsFriday we thought we better start it off with a cracker of a find – Colchester’s Roman Circus 😍

The Roman Circus would have been an open-air venue used for large-scale public events, much like Greek hippodromes. This stadium would have seen horses and chariots racing around its tracks as onlookers cheered on in support.

The Circus came to light back in the early 2000’s during excavations of the Garrison when Roman walls were discovered, and was a monumental find as it is the first Circus to be confidently identified in Britain.

Excavations uncovered multiple features including a u-shaped arena, eight starting-gates, and seating stands (cavea). Unfortunately, the Circus isn’t perfectly preserved, with only it’s foundations surviving and even some of those were robbed out at a later date! 😮

CAT archaeologists worked tirelessly to partially uncover the Circus and protect it; the exposed section can now be viewed at our grounds at Roman Circus House. Those #CATstaff who were present for the excavations remember the buzz in the local community about this amazing find, with 1000s queuing up to see it at the unveiling.

If you want to learn more about the Roman Circus, please check out the link in our bio for our reports 👆

Images from CAT Report 412. Sketch/reconstruction of the Circus by Peter Froste.