More information : TL 998255 ROMAN WALL (R). (1)
The Roman town wall was built of layers of septaria, roughly
faced, interlaced regularly with four fold courses of bricks
with a core of rubble and mortar, the lowest course of bricks
going right through the wall, with an average width of 8 feet.
It was strengthened by a series of internal rectangular towers
(shown on plan by Crummy) each about 171/2 feet long and
projecting 6 feet. The Wall is dated 120-150 and the rampart
150-175 AD. During the reign of Richard II the wall was
extensively rebuilt with the addition of a series of external
semi-circular bastions. Four of those are still standing.
(See subsidiary sites for the gates and bastions).
The general condition of the wall in 1950 (6) was good but the
amount of original Roman work was probably very small. The
repairs and rebuilding of later periods made use of original
materials and it is impossible to differentiate. The stretch
between the East Gate and South Gate has modern facing completely
obscuring any earlier work. (2-6)
Excavations were carried out in 1972 in advance of the demolition
of a short section of the wall as part of the new Lion Walk
shopping precinct. The wall was originally free standing and the
rampart was a later addition. The dates of construction were
confirmed. (7)
The Roman Town Wall, grade 1. Description of the course of the
walls, Balkerne Gate, Scheragate and buildings connected with,
or on the course of, the wall. (8)
The north east section of the Colchester town ditch (TM 000256, TM 003256, TM 003253) is scheduled. (9) |