Roman gate in the town wall, 'North Gate', Great Chesterford (EHER 13947)

The North Gate of the town wall was excavated by Major J.G.S Brinson in his 1948-1949 excavations. It was found to be of three phases, the first being represented only by a gap in the wall. The second phase gate saw the gap filled by the foundations for a tower and in the third phase a new passageway was cut through the wall to the west of the tower.

1948-1949. Archaeological excavation. North Gate of the town wall. During excavations in 1948-1949 the north circuit of the town wall was traced and the north gate encountered. The gate was seen to be of three phases. The gate of Phase I is represented by a gap 18ft. wide, on either side of which the town wall was widened externally by 1ft. for a length of 16 ft., perhaps for ornamental details. In Phase II the entrance gap was filled by foundations for a tower, with chalk footings projecting at back and front. In Phase III a new passageway, eleven and a half feet wide, was cut through the wall to the west of the tower, while the wall on the new west side was thickened at back and front to match it, as if a wide tower crowned the passage-way and extended beyond it. <1> See also <2> <3> <4>. For general discussion of Roman town and wall circuit see EHER 4915.