Series: Colchester Archaeological Trust online report series

Archaeological monitoring and excavation conducted prior to the construction of an extension with a basement on the north-western corner of 12 Temple Villa, Chipping Hill, Witham. The development is located within the inner and outer earthworks associated with the Iron Age settlement and fortification at Chipping Hill.

Belsteads Farm farmhouse is a Grade II listed building (EHER no 30649) and thought to be of c 15th century date with alterations and additions of the 17th century. The farmhouse is surrounded by a complex of farmbuildings of historical interest, includeing a 16th century Grade II listed timber-framed barn (EHER no 39410), a probable 19th century brick barn, a cart lodge and an open fronted sheltershed; the combination of buildings is a good example of a post-medieval farm complex. The three 19th century buildings were the subject of a written and photographic record at English Heritage (2006) Level 2 survey and the site was subject to an archaeological evaluation.

A desk-based assessment of the heritage assets and archaeological remains in the around a 6.6 ha proposed development site at Admirals Farm.

An evaluation by trial-trenching, 4 trenches positioned within the footprint of 3 proposed new dwellings. A total of 21 archaeological features were uncovered.

Open area excavation carried out as per the Brief and WSI. An archaeological excavation was carried out within the Phase 1 development area on land to the west of Panfield Lane, Braintree, Essex in advance of the construction of a large residential development. The excavation was focussed on an area of the development site previously identified during an archaeological evaluation as containing a cluster of early Roman features consisting of four ditches and three pits. Excavation revealed ditches dating from the Late Iron Age/early Roman period through to the mid/late 2nd century, possibly continuing into the early 3rd century. Laid out on a north-east/south-west by north-west/south-east alignment, the ditches probably formed an enclosure with a trackway/droveway on the southern edge of the site. There were at least five large quarry pits with other smaller pits scattered across the site, some of which were possibly tree-throws. There were no structural remains, and fragments of brick/tile and fired clay/daub were rare, but finds evidence would suggest the presence of a farmstead within the enclosure. The pottery assemblage was fairly sizeable, dominated by locally-produced domestic bowls, beakers and jars, but including some imports. Animal bone had not survived well, but included the main domestic species of cattle, sheep/goat, horse, pig and dog, with some oyster shell recovered too. A complete lower quernstone and fragments of at least two other querns show that grain was being ground into flour. Other finds included two coins, an early Roman brooch and a snake-headed bracelet.

An archaeological watching brief within Insulas 31 and 32 of the Roman town was undertaken by CAT during the installation of services and landscaping works associated with firstsite in Colchester. Roman remains were encountered between 0.45m and 1.10m below modern ground-level and two medieval/postmedieval wells were uncovered just below the surface. Archaeological remains identified during the 2006-8 archaeological investigations at firstsite (CAT Report 477) were encountered again in the 2010-11 watching brief. A gravel surface was identified in a position coinciding with the expected line of the east-west Roman street on the southern edge of Insulas 31 and 32. A wall foundation was also recorded in an area where a Roman building had been previously identified (Building 215 in the Colchester Buildings series). A red tessellated floor was identified in section in the northern access road to firstsite. The floor is believed to be previously unknown and is from a Roman building (Colchester Building 220), perhaps a town-house. Two medieval/post-medieval wells were also uncovered during the groundworks. A stone-lined well was uncovered in the back garden of 15 Queen Street and a brick-lined well was recorded in the northern access road to firstsite. The brick-lined well had been constructed in the back yard of a property which once fronted onto the High Street.

A watching brief on the lowering of the floor levels a stub of septaria wall line under the present chancel arch. This may mark the position of an earlier east end, or an earlier and narrower chancel arch. Internally, the lowering of the floor showed no internal offset or foundation, but an external offset of approximately 0.2m was exposed on either side of the doorway (in the porch). Modern work in the nave and chancel did not generally intrude deep enough to breach a layer of mortar and brick dust found found under the hollows in the old floor, but four vaults were exposed in the chancel. These are almost certainly to be associated with the four tomb covers which had recently been stored in the west tower. A number of finds were found under the old floorboards.

Two evaluation trenches were excavated at the Colchester Royal Grammar School prior to the construction of a performing arts block. A north-west south-east orientated Roman road.

The second phase of work on this site. Ground level in the yard was reduced by 400-500mm. A number of unfrogged post-medieval bricks and peg tiles were noted on the surface as well as a couple of sherds of post-medieval pottery. Foundations and make-up layers in the area were visible but lacked any datable material.