Tag Archives: lecture

Lecture Series 2026: LIVES & LEGACIES ~ A House in Crisis

01
Jul

Join Colchester Archaeological Trust for A House in Crisis: Who Buried the Fenwick Treasure?, a lecture by Adam Wightman exploring one of Roman Colchester’s most dramatic archaeological discoveries. In 61 CE, Boudicca’s forces overwhelmed the town, leaving buildings burned and lives suddenly disrupted. Beneath the charred remains of one house, archaeologists uncovered a remarkable hoard of Roman gold and silver hidden in haste beneath the floor.

Drawing on the Fenwick Treasure and the burnt remains of everyday household life, this talk asks who lived there, where they came from, and what their possessions reveal about early Roman Colchester.

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Lecture Series 2026: LIVES & LEGACIES ~ Power and Stone

05
Jun

From September 2026 until July 2027, the Bayeux Tapestry will be on loan to the British Museum. The famous tapestry illustrates the Norman Conquest of 1066; a major legacy in Colchester is our magnificent castle, built by Eudo Dapifer, the Aristocratic steward of William the Conqueror.

Howard will discuss Eudo Dapifer and the building of the castle, as well as the local context of Norman-period stone houses and churches in Colchester.

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CAT Lecture Series 2025 – Colchester beyond the walls: Excavations at Colchester Garrison

12
Jun

This richly illustrated talk explores nearly 20 years of fieldwork at the Colchester Garrison site – one of CAT’s largest and most significant projects in terms of understanding the Iron Age and Roman landscape outside of the walled city. From rural farmsteads to sprawling cemeteries, Ben reveals the archaeological landscape that once lay at the heart of Camulodunum, and how it contributes to our picture of life in Roman Britain.

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CAT Lecture Series 2025 – Camulodunum: What is it, Where is it, and How Do We Know?

11
Jun

CAT Lecture Series 2025

Camulodunum: What is it, Where is it, and How Do We Know?

Begin your journey in the Late Iron Age with a deep dive into Camulodunum, the tribal capital of the Trinovantes and one of the earliest Roman settlements in Britain.

Drawing on decades of excavation, this talk explores how we define the ancient oppidum, what we know about its layout and life, and why it remains central to understanding Roman Colchester.

Speaker: Howard Brooks

Please note : This series of talks describe and discuss ancient life from an archaeological and historical perspective. Due to the nature of the period some aspects of this topic may cause offence to a modern audience. The intention of the presenter is to be informative and to represent the past as accurately as possible, both for its good elements and bad.

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Colchester Archaeology Talks: Colchester’s Roman Temples and Theatres

Colchester's Roman temples & theatres
03
Feb

Join historian Richard Bale for an engaging talk on Colchester’s Roman Temples and Theatres, exploring the town’s ancient civic buildings and their role in religious, political, and community life. Discover how Colchester, once Camulodunum, the first Roman capital of Britain, showcased both Roman influence and local traditions through its temples and theatres. The talk will highlight the use of temples for imperial cult worship, civic rituals, and local devotion, and examine how theatres served beyond entertainment, hosting festivals, performances, and public gatherings. Drawing on archaeological evidence and historical accounts, Bale will provide insights into the enduring legacy of Roman Colchester.

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