Archaeological trial-trenching at the Arena Leisure Centre, Circular Road East, Colchester, Essex – Phase 1a, pre-determination trenching: April-May 2015

In Phase 1a of the evaluation, we excavated eleven trenches across the site of the Arena Leisure Centre, prior to its closure and subsequent demolition. Numerous features of archaeological interest were encountered, including eleven Roman assumed inhumation burials and Roman field boundaries and pits. Also identified was a selection of post-medieval pits and ditches. Of particular interest is the recovery of a copper-alloy neck ring and two associated human molars from an assumed inhumation burial.