Multi-phase Roman remains including an inhumation and a votive offering at Orchard Street Hall (Caesaromagus Site T) (EHER 5861)

Excavations carried out in 1972-1973 revealed features dating from the 2nd to the early 4th century AD including part of an inhumation cemetery. Of especial note was a votive deposit of jet jewellery which included a necklace with a gorgon head pendant and a small figure of a lion guarding a human head between its paw. Two bracelets, two hairpins, pottery and a glass vessel completed the group which may have been contained in a wooden box.

In 1962 a terrace of cottages, 1-6 Roman Road was demolished under a clearance order. On the site of No 6 Mr D Saunders undertook a small excavation in the summer of 1964 (see EEX54256). A second trench was excavated immediately to the north east by Gareth Davis for Chelmsford Museum later in the same year but no features were found and its exact position was not recorded (see EEX52457). Late in 1972, 16 Hall Street and a chapel known as the Orchard Street Hall were demolished and their sites amalgamated with that previously cleared. In 1972-1973 excavation took place in advance of redevelopment. 1972-1973. Archaeological excavation. The earliest Roman phase on the site was represented by a trench containing timber posts, excavated in two separate segments which seem to represent a boundary dating to 120 AD. Two postholes may represent an earlier phase. Further to the west on Orchard Street a gulley appears to continue along the same line. Period VI (2nd century occupation) was represented by a group of features north of the boundary, enclosed and probably defined by 2 gullies. Also present was a dog burial. Pottery was scant, but Colchester colour coat in some of the pits indicate activity from the middle of the 2nd century. Period VII.1, (later 3rd century) was represented by part of a inhumation cemetery and a group of pits to the west. Dating evidence available suggests that they are all late 3rd century features, implying a hiatus between this period of activity and the previous one. This phase concluded in AD 280-300. Two of the graves contained poorly preserved human bones, the lower limb bones of adult buried with hob nailed boots and another with the bones of a child. Other features may also have been graves, based on their plan and date from finds. Period VII.2/3. In the western part of one pit was a group of shale and jet objects which was interpreted as a votive deposit. These date from 270/80 AD. The objects were deposited in a wooden box as evidenced by the presence of Iron nails. This included a necklace with a gorgon head pendant and a small figure of a lion guarding a human head between its paws. Two bracelets and two hairpins, pottery vessels which probably held perishable material and the remains of a glass vessel, completed the group. To the north of this a BB1 flanged rim dish was found inverted over a plain rimmed BB1 dish contain fine soil, presumably the remnants of perishable items. This votive deposit is regarded as intrusive as skeletal material was found immediately underneath it and the absence of burnt bone and the date of the items rule out a cremation burial. The material from the Period VII.1 pit provides a terminus post quem of AD270/80 which the pottery from the votive deposit agrees. A 4th century date is argued for the jet making a date in the first half of the 4th century likely for the deposit. Period VII.3 (late Roman) This period was represented by 2 pits, 2 postholes north of the boundary ditch and a small gulley excavated in 1964 which contained building debris, late Roman pottery and thirteen coins whose date range extends into the later 4th century. The debris suggests that it was closely associated with masonry 'domestic' building beyond the site to the south, in the presumed environs of the mansio. These features suggest continued activity until the end of the Roman period. <1> - <4> Information from NRHE: Excavation of a 'backland site` at Hall Street revealed the expected scatter of Roman and Medieval pits, together with the remains of a corn drier and two third-century inhumations. Of particular note was an apparently votive deposit of jet jewellery, which included a necklace with a gorgon head pendant and a small figure of a lion guarding a human head between its paws. Two bracelets and two hairpins, pottery vessels which probably held perishable material and the remains of a glass vessel, completed the group, which may have been contained in a wooden box. <2>