Catalogued and Published, the Museum Archaeologists, Was Able to Join in Is Well Practised Having Just After School

COIN HOARDS AT OLIVER'S ORCHARD

To unearth a hoard of Roman coins metal detector. The telephones is the dream of every ploughman. On started ringing again when he Monday 9th May, 1983 Brian Wade was reported a further concentration of preparing a field at Olivers Orchard 80 coins in the upper ploughsoil for sweetcorn when he noticed some about two metres from the first bright blue-green objects in the hoard. As these could not have come plough soil. He jumped off the from it, further digging was tractor and picked up about 90 coins undertaken on Thursday and Friday and andi after marking the spot with a two more hoards discovered. Pot 3 stick, took the coins to Rupert containing 501 coins was almost Knowles, owner of the land. whole, but Pot 2 was badly broken and dispersed. It now transpires that Mark Davies, Assistant Curator at the latter had been two pots and that the Castle, came out immediately and there were about 1,350 coins confirmed that the coins were associated with them. antoniniani, dating from about AD 270. Kath Evans marshalled the On Tuesday 17th May, 1983, Rupert troops from the Colchester Knowles and his elder brother, Archaeological Group to help the Martin, lugged the whole hoard - Museum staff in the excavation. 6,036 coins - to the British Museum Brian's son, Gary Wade, who is a where they will be cleaned, member of the Colchester Young catalogued and published, The Museum Archaeologists, was able to join in is well practised having just after school. completed a similar hoard of 56,000 coins from Wiltshire. An area of two metres square was marked out and, after sieving and The pots are being restored by clearing the ploughsoil, a further Colchester Museum and it would be concentration of coins appeared nice to see them reunited with some exactly where expected - knowing the of the coins and on display to the direction of travel of the plough. public - either at the Castle or the The whole pot was excavated on the Roman River Centre at Olivers Tuesday and the coins carefully Orchard. counted by Martin Wynter of the Museum, and bagged up in sequence. 4,041 coins were found in this pot. Rupert Knowles

On Wednesday the press and television were invited and Jenny Knowles spent all day carefully carrying the pot and coins to and from the field for the cameramen, This is the largest hoard of Roman That evening, to make sure no coins found to date in Colchester. coins had been missed, Pat Adkins was But it is more significant as the asked to scan the spoil with his first to have been excavated under Photograph by Martin Wynter archaeological conditions, thanks to third century, But, far from the the awareness and prompt action of area being abandoned, this hoard the finder, Brian Wade, and the suggests the presence two generations landowner, Rupert Knowles, later of at least one person of substance who was able to put aside The coins are all 'antoniniani' cash for another day. Its eventual and at first sight appear to be recovery was due to the great help mostly official issues of the and co-operation of all concerned. various emperors from Gallienus to Tetricus I, The silver content of similar coins reduces considerably Mark Davies during this period from about 27% to as little as 1%. Recent case history has excluded such hoards from Treasure Trove, but that decision rests with the coroner and the courts and will depend on an analytical report by the British Museum.

All three deposits seem to have been made within a very short time, no later than c AD 273. The pots were buried in the natural sandy gravel, just below the modern plough. Best preserved was Pot 1, a flagon sealed with a lead bung. It had been placed upside down, presumably to facilitate recovery intact by the owner. * Opposite: plan of Gosbecks. The coin hoards were found in the There were no traces of any southern part of the site. Knowledge buildings or other features where about the nature of Gosbecks in late the hoard was found, though Iron Age and Roman times is extensive doubtless the spot would have been and derives mainly from cropmarks. related to some landmark like a These appear as the crops ripen and tree, or it was so many paces from a are clearest after a prolonged dry house or farm building. The site spell. The Gosbecks area was divided lies at the southern end of the up into fields of varying sizes Gosbecks area, within Kidman's Dyke linked by ditched trackways. The and remarkably close to the Roman complex was protected on the west by road running northeast to the a series of dykes. Later, in the colonia. Some 400 metres away are Roman period, a theatre and a large the theatre and temple, which have temple were built indicating that the been partly excavated. The theatre area was still important in was dismantled possibly early in the post-conquest times. HOW ROMAN COLCHESTER BEGAN

One of the good things about being an during the Boudican revolt in AD 60/1 archaeologist is having the chance of over ten years after the evacuation discovering some fundamental fact of the fortress. Moreover indications that nobody was aware of before. I also emerged from the excavations have been lucky enough to experience that, at the time of the foundation the 'high' - the extraordinary of the new town, there had been feeling of elation - that accompanies considerable building operations these minor brainstorms on several including new streets and that these occasions. I do not mean simply the were on a slightly different act of finding say a mosaic or a alignment to the fortress. Careful particularly fine object - the study of the newly prepared town plan discoveries I refer to are made of Colchester revealed hidden in the usually not in the ground but on layout of its streets the ghost of paper and always by means not of the missing fortress. This took the hands but of brain cells! The form of a pattern of streets on the realisation that you have made the military alignment found at Lion Walk discovery you sought and have and consistent in area and design uncovered the necessary proof tends with fortresses known elsewhere. The to come in a rush and this has the fortress, now confirmed at Culver effect of heightening the sense of Street, lay under the western half of excitement that seems to accompany the later Roman town, such occasions, Of course, in terms of life generally, these discoveries Following the discovery of the are of miniscule consequence but in fortress and with the benefit of relation to our own little world and further excavations especially at the study of the past in Colchester Balkerne Lane and Culver Street, it and other historic towns they are of is now possible to chart the some real value. development of the Roman and later town at various stages. Of special What are these discoveries? The interest is the way in which the outstanding example was the discovery fortress was converted into a town. of the Colchester's fortress in Probably most of the military 1973. The work for this took almost buildings and streets were kept for a week when all the streets and reuse in the new settlement. Whilst buildings known at that time were this saved much effort in building carefully plotted on a large-scale new streets and houses, it meant that Ordnance Survey plan. Excavations at there was not enough room for the Lion Walk had just led to the large public buildings which the uncovering of parts of the southeast settlers wanted. To make the space, corner of what appeared to be the the surrounding bank and ditch which fortress. Also the excavations had protected the fortress was * The conversion of the fortress at Colchester (top) into the town seemed to suggest that some of the demolished and a new street grid was before the Boudican revolt (bottom). military buildings had survived the laid out on the eastern side of the transition from fortress to town town to incorporate the new public * OVERLEAF: The streets of Roman Colchester (c 150 and later) superimposed because they had been burnt down buildings. These included the temple on modern Colchester. The position of the fortress is indicated by a thick dashed line. Photograph by Aerofilms Limited. 7

key distances on the plan and these were converted into Roman feet. As a result it was possible to untangle the thought processes of the military planner.

First he set out on his plan a series of strips 300 and 200 feet wide. He then marked out the northern and southern limits of the fortress and its main streets. Next he set out the main north-south minor streets by cutting these out of the 200 and 300 feet wide strips and then began to allocate plots for the individual buildings. The theoretical measurements are in some cases extremely close to the actual dimensions as taken from the Ordnance Survey plan and the theory of how the fortress plan was conceived seems to * Measurements of the fortress at Colchester. The actual measurements be very convincing. Mo doubt similar are in italics. The intended measurements are shown in bold around work on other fortress plans will the edge of the plan. show the same kind of pattern. of Claudius (the remains of which you because it is possible to tie down For obvious reasons, archaeology can see under Colchester Castle), a all archaeological facts to the is very object-orientated. This is town hall (probably immediately south highly accurate Ordnance Survey hardly surprising when every year of the Temple), and a theatre (the plans. Last autumn, following the fresh objects are unearthed by the site of which was confirmed at end of the first phase of excavations ton. It is however most unusual to Maidenburgh Street in 1981). at Culver Street, I replotted the discover how in anitiquity somebody evidence for the street systems of Unfortunately, the legionary defences thought and solved a particular were not replaced and the town was the fortress and the later town just intellectual problem: in this case undefended at the time of the as I had done almost ten years how to plan the fortress at * Three stages in the formulation revolt. This, according to the Roman earlier but this time taking into Colchester. We can be certain that of the plan of the fortress at historian Tacitus, was why it was account all the new information once the plan was made, nobody gave Colchester. Measurements in Roman easy for the Britons to destroy the available since then. For some years it a second thought, Probably few if feet (pedes Monetales). town. I had been hoping to understand how any of the soldiers would have known the plan of the fortress had been - or cared - how the layout of their Another and more recent 'high' was formulated but without success. based was devised and perhaps few if 200 and 300 feet wide. And why the discovery (unique in its way) of However, much to my surprise, it all any of the occupants of the later should they? Yet here we are, much how the military planner set about turned out to be so obvious and easy town realised that some of the later, able to bridge a huge gulf and drawing up the plan for the fortress to spot, that, even allowing for the streets in Roman Colchester were of read that planner's mind of almost at Colchester all these years ago. fact that previously I had only the military origin, far less that they 2,000 years ago. This is the first time the layout of 1973 plans to work with, I wondered were set out on the basis of strips Philip Crummy any fortress has been 'cracked' in how I could have missed it before. this way and was achieved principally Various measurements were taken of MIDNIGHT FEASTS NOTES

DIG IT Also, there is the added bonus of (How the processing of pottery at actually being able to learn Culver Street is seen from the something, without having to put my If the telephone at the Trust's when. They do not talk to each other inside by two helpers, David Arnold hand up or plough through sixteen headquarters at Lexden Road were in one of the usual computer from the Colchester Royal Grammar pages of text, only to discover that bugged, listeners-in might be languages, but in the most School and Emma Finney from Charles I'm in the wrong millenium anyway, I forgiven for thinking that someone on fundamental way possible, a sort of Lucas School.) can toddle up to any one of the the staff was a spy in the pay of a electronic Morse code. When our modem countless learned sages, an actual foreign power. After working-hours, is linked to the computer, we simply sherd in my hand, and say, "Wos this often late into the night, or early dial the Slough tyepsetter's then? What are them knobbly bits?" on Saturday mornings, long clicking telephone number, wait for him to Should the world end between the The recent lectures have embellished conversations could be heard, answer and confirm that he too is hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. the whole process with a further obviously in code (but what a code!), ready, then put the receiver on to during the week, there is a small shade of significance, that of the followed by muttered questions, "Got the modem's rest, tell the computer group of people that probably won't interaction between Person in Museum that?", "Is there any garbling on to transfer a file, and sit back and notice. Even assuming that one of and Person in Hole. that file?", or "Do you want some twiddle our thumbs (or bite our them does catch sight of the flood or more?". No doubt the noise of nails!). The telephone line has to the fire, he'll most likely feel In fact, as I watch the dust chinking mugs of black coffee, nail- be fairly clear, as too much compelled to 'finish this box' before settle on three tonnes of Roman biting, and anxious pacing footsteps crackling can have a disastrous donning his swimming trunks or his pottery, blissfully aware would occasionally rise above the effect on the text, so after each asbestos dungarees. of the clink of cups in the electronic clicks and whirrs. file has been sent it is checked to refreshments caravan, I think that see that the line hasn't interfered Perhaps it's the idea of sorting, this is probably one of the nicest Friends may however rest easy in in any way. bagging, marking debagging thousands Holes in the country. their beds. We are not selling the of pieces of smashed pottery, while details of the Roman military It all sounds rather easy, other people have 'real' jobs with disposition of troops to the eastern doesn't it? But Ron Foord, the By David 'Schliemann' Arnold & ties and umbrellas and wages, that bloc. No, we were just letting our typesetter, has put in a lot of very Emma 'Em' Finney moulds the minds of these people computer talk to one in Slough. Now hard work finding a programme that into weird and wonderful shapes. The they have got over their initial will enable our computers to link up, shyness they get on very well As they are not the same make, and as medical term for this (as together; in fact, they are about to they do not use the same language, a Sue, the person in charge, will tell produce their first book. lot of complications arose during the you) is lunacy. However, shuffling RECENT MEETINGS test runs. However, he persisted, out of the time-tabled academic world, through the 'cut-price' By using our word-processing and with help at our end from Charles The Friends' AGM on January 29th commercial world, on my way to that programme and editing in commands Bowman of the Department of Computer was, as usual, in two parts. The sedate clutch of huts at Culver which the Slough computer understands Science at Essex University, the business meeting was held in the Street, it seems to me that the in terms of print size, italic, bold, modem link was set up. From now on morning at 12 Lexden Road, and among 'normal people' are the ones who lack etc, etc, we can transfer text down all should be plain sailing, the items on the agenda lurked an sanity. For, here (unlike any other the telephone line straight on to the innovation suggested by Colin environment I know) a lot of trivial, Slough machine's disks by using a And the reason why it is done Bellows, our Chairman. This was a unjustified conventions are simply modem coupler. Our modem coupler is late at night or at weekends? As all summary of the Trust's work over the trampled upon in the rush: Ph.D.s a small rectangular device with a computers know, it's the cheapest last year given by the Director, hump with G.C.Es, Youth jokes with foam rest for the telephone receiver, time to phone your friends! Philip Crummy. This gave Philip an Age, revolution sips the same 'tea' two switches and four lights. The opportunity to tell members about the as conservation. the work of all the Trust's staff, lights show which computer is talking Nina Crummy an excavation in the Castle Bailey at always tell a successful trip by the difficulty forcing recalcitrant not just those who excavate and the time of our trip, which will be difficulty I have in persuading members back on to the coach this analyse. Those unsung heroes, the an added bonus. He will break the members back on to the coach. At time may need to be revised! draughtsmen, for example. Also, he tour for lunch (the time to be explained in some detail about the Greensted and Nave stock it was rather arranged there, depending on whether I look forward to seeing our programme of publication, and the like trying to get bees to leave a or not we arrived on schedule), and dedicated band of trippers on these financing and methods of production honey pot! there will be free time from about outings, and I hope that a few more of Colchester Archaeological 3.00 p.m. for those wishing to of you may brave the elements and Reports. Unfortunately, the trip in May explore the town or look round the join us. Of course, those wishing to to Coggeshall was cancelled because Norwich Castle Museum. We will leave At our afternoon session in the of the low number of bookings. A come on these trips in their own cars Norwich at 4.30 p.m. and expect to are more than welcome to do so, Public Library lecture theatre we hard core of dedicated members be back in Colchester by 7.00 p.m. heard three talks. Dr Rosemary Luff regularly support the trips, but even told us of her work on the animal so most outings either make a small Nina Crummy. On Saturday September 3rd there bone remains, and also passed round loss or just break even. In Ipswich will be a coach trip to Orford on the the skulls from the Balkerne Lane the Archaeology Section at the County Suffolk coast just north of Hall, led by Keith Hade, has recently executions. Just the thing to give Hoodbridge. Orford is now primarily formed a "Friends" group, and our members a good appetite for tea! a fishing community, and is noted for trips in their direction will be Robin Symonds brought us up to date two things - the excellence of its with the progress of the pottery thrown open to their members. seafood restaurant and pubs, and its WINTER PRESENTATION analysis, and Nick Smith led us castle. From the top of the keep the through the ins and outs of building view across the Suffolk countryside To mark the publication of two techniques in the Roman period as DATES FOR YOUR DIARY is breath-taking, and it is easy to major reports by the Trust, it is found on the Culver Street imagine how nerve-wracking a sentry planned to stage a presentation at excavations. Saturday July 9th is the day set vigil up there might have been in which a special copy of each volume for the coach trip to Norwich. We times of civil strife. The coach will be given to the Colchester In March intrepid members braved will leave the War Memorial by the will leave the War Memorial at Borough Council and all the Roman the cold for a coach trip to the Castle Park promptly at 8.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m., and call at Ipswich for small finds will be handed over wooden Anglo-Saxon church at those with difficulty getting out of anyone wishing to be picked up there. formally to the museum. The reports Greensted near Ongar. He were met bed early will be left behind quite He hope to be at Orford by are The Roman small finds from there by Adrian Gibson, one of ruthlessly - and drive to Ipswich if 2.00 p.m. He will start back at excavations in Colchester, 1971-9 southern England's experts on timber any members of the Suffolk County about 4.30 p.m. to arrive back in by Nina Crummy (published this buildings, and Cecil Hewett of Essex Archaeology Section's Friends wish to Colchester by 6.00 p.m. summer) and Excavations at Lion County Council. Cecil is the man who be picked up there (or any Ipswich- Walk, Balkerne Lane, and has revolutionised the methods of based members of our Friends). On Saturday November 5th there Middleborough by Philip Crummy dating timber buildings on the joints Leaving Ipswich at 8.45 a.m. we will will be a very rapid tour of the (published this winter). The event go on to Framlingham Castle for a used in their constructions. Between parish churches south of Colchester. will take place some time during the quick look round before arriving at them they gave us a most illuminating Leaving the War Memorial at 1.00 p.m. coming winter and will be accompanied Norwich at 11.30 a.m. Brian Ayres of afternoon, taking us on from I hope to take in the churches at by a small display of some of the the Norfolk Archaeology Section will Greensted to the nearby church of Great and Little Wigborough, Little relevant objects. Refreshments will meet us there and show us round the Navestock, which has a wonderful Birch, Peldon, and Fingringhoe, and be available. Friends will be remains of the medieval (and earlier) Norman timber-framed tower, and, most the site of the now disappeared invited to attend and will receive town. Brian has been working in unusually, timber columns and arches church at Langenhoe, We should aim details nearer the time. We very Norwich for some time now, and has in the nave. These were discovered to be back in Colchester at much hope you will be able to join done some remarkable work along the by Cecil Hewett sticking a penknife 5.00 p.m., but if I have my usual us. into one of the columns! I can waterfront at Norwich. There may be The FRIENDS OF THE COLCHESTER ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST has been formed to provide a means of keeping interested members of the public informed about the archaeological work going on in and around the historic town of Colchester. The Friends provide the funds to publish CATALOGUE - the newsletter of the Colchester Archaeological Trust. Friends receive two newsletters a year, attend an annual programme of lectures on the previous year's progress, are given conducted tours of current sites and can take part in a regular programme of archaeological visits to sites and monuments in the area.

The annual subscription rates are as follows' Adults £.1.50, Children and Students 75p, Family Membership £2.00, and Institutions £1.00. Those who live too far away to attend meetings or go on trips can receive newsletters only at a reduced rate of GUIDE TO ROMAN COLCHESTER £l.OO. Subscriptions should be sent to Brenda May, Honorary Treasurer, Mike Corbishley has just produced Friends of the Colchester his Young Archaeologist's Guide to Archaeological Trust. 5 William Roman Colchester. It takes the Close. Wivenhoe, Colchester. Essex. form of an A4 sheet of thin card printed both sides with information Philip Crummy (Editor) about what there is to see in the town. Also included is a town map and an artist's impression of Colchester in Roman times. The guide is published by the Young Archaeologist's Club with the aid of * COVER: Rupert Knowles, Jenny the profit from the concert given by Knowles, and Brian Hade with one of the Bianchi Ensemble last year which the coin hoards recently discovered many of the Friends attended. The at Gosbecks. Photograph courtesy of guide costs 15p and is available at the Essex County Standard. bookshops, the museum and the Culver Street site.