Probable Roman cremation cemetery at Bouchernes Farm (EHER 7802)

Finds of Roman pottery including an amphora from a gravel pit indicate the possible site of a cremation cemetery. The vessels include a 3rd century AD spindle amphora which was donated in 1875, and which is said to have contained burnt bone when found. Also found was a small pot of red-brown ware and half of another of grey-brown ware, donated in 1908. Later, in 1926, another finder donated a small Samian flagon with a conical mouth and a globular flask with cordoned neck.

'In 1875 Isaac Belshan gave Colchester Museum a spindle amphora, f. 183 (CM PC 699) and a large urn, and in 1908 a small pot of red-brown ware and half of another of grey-brown ware (CM 1693.4.08). All these came from his land at Boucherne. In 1926 Mr Lewis Belsham sent in a small Samian flagon with a conical mouth and a globular flask with cordoned neck (CM 5193-4.26). These were found about 1866 close together in a gravel pit in a field opposite Boucherne. By 1926 this pit had been levelled and built over'. <1> <2> <3> The amphora was a Baetican, Dressel form 23. The type developed in the 3rd quarter of the 3rd century AD and remained current until at least the early 5th century. It contained burnt bone when found by Mr Belsham in 1875. This source gives the accession number PC 703 (the VCH gives PC 699 which Wickenden gives to a find of a wine amphora from The Towers - see EHER 7814). A small Samian flagon, East Gaulish, 3rd century, rare in Britain, was found near the amphora and presented to Colchester Museum in 1926 by Mr Lewis Belsham. A globular jar was found with the flagon. <4> Site Assessment: Is this the correct accession number for the amphora? Note: The cemetery is sited to the east of the Roman small town at Elms Farm, see EHER 81915. NRHE data transfer: The finds are listed and illustrated. The site is described as a cremation cemetery. <4>