An archaeological evaluation at the staff and student car-parks, Colchester Institute, Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex: April 2006

Six evaluation trenches were excavated at the staff and student car-parks at Colchester Institute in April 2006. The evaluation produced evidence on the site from the Late Iron Age and Roman periods. Fifteen cut features, principally quarry pits and ditches dating from the Late Iron Age to the 1st century and the later Roman period, were identified. A spread of Roman pottery and building material indicate the site of a Roman building nearby, although no structural features were present. Some of the features were within the date range of the pre-conquest phase of the Sheepen site (c AD 5-43) and could be considered to be part of the pre-Roman site. These are significant because no definitely pre-conquest features have previously been recorded from the Sheepen site. Although no waterlogged features were identified, the depth of deposits and the water table in the student car-park trench suggest that waterlogged remains may be preserved. Three modern features were recorded, but modern disturbance to the archaeological remains was minimal.