Archaeological evaluation on the site of a proposed pavilion at St Helena School, Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex: May 2015

Archaeological evaluation on the site of the proposed pavilion at St Helena School revealed thirteen archaeological features. Three are dated either Late Iron Age or Roman – two pits/post-holes, and a gravel surface; the other ten features includedtwo modern ditches (one aligned on pre-school field boundaries), and eight undated
pits or post-holes. All features were sealed by 0.65m of overburden (modern topsoil, and subsoil).
One of the common features of excavations and evaluations at St Helena School is the discovery of gravel surfaces, both inside and outside the precinct of Colchester Temple 2. The gravel surface found here shows that they are more extensive than had been thought. As the evaluation trench was approximately 65m outside the
precinct wall of Temple 2, and 90m east of the nearest temple-related structure, the evaluated area is clearly peripheral to the temple complex. Whether the features excavated in 2015 are actually connected with the temple complex is difficult to say, and it may be that they are of an industrial or domestic character.