A late Roman burial uncovered in Colchester, England, is set to go on display for the first time after archaeologists discovered a woman buried inside a decorated lead coffin alongside rare grave goods.
The burial was found during excavations at the former Essex County Hospital site and is now the focus of a new exhibition at the Roman Circus Visitor Centre, opening on 16 May.
Archaeologists believe the woman was in her late 20s or 30s when she died. Early scientific testing suggests she may have grown up in Colchester during the later Roman period.
The coffin contained several objects placed beside the body, including jet hairpins and a group of glass flasks.
Researchers say the burial appears to have been carefully arranged and likely belonged to someone of high status.
Testing carried out on residues inside the coffin identified traces of frankincense and gypsum. One of the glass vessels also contained exotic resins imported from outside Britain.
Such materials were valuable during the Roman period and were often linked to burial rituals and the treatment of the dead.
The excavation was carried out by Colchester Archaeological Trust during redevelopment work at the former hospital site. The burial was uncovered towards the end of investigations that had been taking place over several years.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see the coffin, the woman’s remains and displays explaining what archaeologists and scientists have learned from the discovery.
Adam Wightman, Director of Archaeology at Colchester Archaeological Trust, said the burial was among the most significant Roman discoveries made in Colchester in recent years.
He said the combination of the coffin, grave goods and scientific evidence provided an unusually detailed picture of funerary practices in late Roman Britain.
Robert Masefield, Archaeology Director at Tetra Tech Consulting Limited, said: “Over decades of working with Colchester Archaeological Trust on excavations of the Roman burial grounds around the Roman town, this is certainly the most spectacular I have seen, in terms of signifying the trappings of wealth and symbolism in death, of a fully Romanised citizen.”
“The young woman was clearly cherished by her family and by her community. Essex Housing, in facilitating the excavation and CAT’s painstaking work to respectfully excavate, conserve, promote a full suite of scientific analyses and now to bring the find to public attention, is highly appropriate,” added Masefield.
The exhibition will run for one year at the Roman Circus Visitor Centre. The archaeological work formed part of a wider housing redevelopment project led by Essex Housing, part of Essex County Council. Construction is continuing at the site, where 120 new homes are planned across several phases.
Sources : Colchester Archaeological Trust
