Series: Colchester Archaeological Reports

A description of all the dykes, as well as accounts of the surveys and excavations relating to the dyke system and Camulodunum in the Late Iron Age and Early Roman period. Excavations began in 1932, although surveys began as early as 1722. Philip Crummy gives the background to the work of Christopher Hawkes and others in `Camulodunum 2: a lifelong commitment fulfilled' (vi-vii) and in `Introduction' (1--2). In `Camulodunum', C F C Hawkes (3--69) describes evidence for the Iron Age in the Colchester area, especially the Late Iron Age and notably the hillfort at Pitchbury, the origin of the name Camulodunum, and coins. He next considers the Gosbecks site, and then deals with the dykes, such as their names, early surveys, and excavations. A description of individual Iron Age dykes in alphabetical order is given (24--52). This is followed by an analysis of the pre-Roman development of the dykes and of the dykes in the Roman period. Roman military fortifications were next constructed, including auxiliary forts and a legionary fortress at Colchester. The first colonia was established in the mid firstst century, but was destroyed in Boudica's revolt, followed by a second colonia. In `Sheepen: dyke and pre-Roman occupation' C F C Hawkes (70--84) next presents work on the Sheepen Dyke, with dating primarily based on amphora finds. `The Lexden Tumulus: viewed in archaeology and history' by C F C Hawkes (85--94) focuses on the Lexden round barrow of around 15--10~BC, possibly the tomb of Addedomaros. Philip Crummy (95--105) in `Gosbecks' discusses the enclosed farmstead, adjacent trackway, field systems, dykes, Roman fort, and Roman-Celtic temple and surrounding portico. A Roman theatre was built in the second century, and there was a possible bathhouse.Philip Crummy (106--60) presents a `Catalogue of excavations and observations (1932--1993) relating to the pre-Roman period' within the area enclosed by the dykes, although sites of Roman date are also included. This catalogue includes various dykes, Roman roads, Sheepen, and the Lexden tumulus: the Gryme's Dyke excavation of 1977 (109--15) has reports on a terra sigillata sherd by G Simpson (114) and by G B Dannell (114) and on a Roman coin by Richard Reece (114--15) (`The coin from Layer 5'), with a further note on the coin by Robert Kenyon (115). John Wacher (124--6) presents `Excavations near Altnacealgach, 1956', in which a palisade trench, wattle-and-daub structure, gullies, and pits were found, possibly related to a Roman villa. The Gryme's Dyke North excavation report includes `The embossed beaker and grey-ware bowl from Ditch 3b' by Valery Rigby (117--19). The Kiln Road excavation of 1971 (131--7) includes `The two brooches from the pit' by Nina Crummy (136). The report on the excavations at Pitchbury hillfort (138--53) includes `The excavation of 1933' by Thalassa Cruso (139--43). `Lexden Dyke Middle, excavation at Bluebottle Grove in 1987' by G Carter (154--9) is a report on the excavation of the south-eastern end of the Lexden Dyke.`Camulodunum -- a review' by Philip Crummy (161--78) gives an overview of the relationship between Cunobelin and the Sheepen site, the structure and function of the dykes, the burial sites, evidence from coins, and the origins and development of Camulodunum. LRA

Over 3000 coins were found in the period reviewed and a number of contributors examine different aspects of them, with particular attention to irregular issues of Claudius, the 3rd century, and Constantinian. P Crummy considers the coins as dating evidence, R Goodburn treats the Celtic coins, R Reece the Roman, Robert Kenyon the Claudian; Justine Bayley reports analyses on Claudian coins, John A Davies takes the barbarous radiates, and also (with Nina Crummy) the Carausian-Allectan series, M Hammerson examines the Constantinian copies (AD 330-48), M Archibald the med and some early postmed coins and tokens, and Nina Crummy summarizes all the post-Roman coins and tokens as well as considering (with Martin Winter) the hoards.