Stage 1b archaeological evaluation, Alienated Land Area B1a, Colchester Garrison, Colchester, Essex: January 2007

Two evaluation trenches (totalling 82m by 1.8m) were located within Area B1a of the Colchester Garrison Alienated Land redevelopment site. In total, 22 archaeological features were identified: five Roman, one medieval, three late medieval/early postmedieval, nine early post-medieval, two modern, and two undated. The Roman features provide evidence for Roman domestic/settlement activity in the vicinity of the circus and the medieval features and finds (including a wall foundation) are probably associated with St John’s abbey. The early post-medieval features consisted mainly of ditches and pits, but an interesting structural feature may represent a post-dissolution building recorded on Speed’s map of 1610.