THE actions of criminals who ram raided the East of England Co-op store in the heart of historic Dedham have unwittingly revealed the building to be an architectural gem.

The December raid has shone a light on the outstanding quality of the region’s best merchants’ houses from the age of Henry VIII.

Major structural damage caused to the shop’s façade by ram raiders who made off with the ATM machine, prompted the Co-op to commission archaeologists from Colchester Archaeological Trust (CAT) to undertake a dig beneath the shop floor, and an architectural historian to prepare an ‘Historic Architect’s Report’ to support its planning and listed building applications to repair and stabilise the building.

Now complete, the report reveals that the timber-framed structure, built in 1520, is home to timber joisting and beams of the ‘finest ever seen by the Historic Architect’ and ‘almost certainly the best example of this type of ceiling in Dedham’.

In addition, the archaeologists revealed a medieval hearth that predated the surviving buildings and remnants of an internal porch – a common feature in the Low Countries, in the 15th century, but rarely found in England before the Elizabethan period.

Other archaeological finds included a whole pot discovered buried close to the location of one of the original entrances.

This was a type of pot known as a two-handled tripod cauldron dating from the late 16th to early 18th century and, according to CAT, may be an apotropaic deposit intended to prevent evil influences entering the house..

Dr Jess Tipper, Colchester Council Archaeologist, added: “We are delighted with the evidence these reports have revealed about the rich history of this important part of the borough and the wealthy merchants who lived and traded there.”

Nick Denny, Joint Chief Executive for the East of England Co-op, said: “We worked cooperatively with Colchester Council to ensure that the secrets of this fantastic building could be recorded for future generations.

"We are delighted that the findings have helped give a further insight into this historical and wonderful village.”

The East of England Co-op store on the High Street, Dedham, will reopen on Tuesday 30 October at 9am.