A HISTORY fan is calling for the council to “make every effort” to publicise Colchester’s Roman history and a key site in the city.
History enthusiast Alan Blois wants the local authority to make more of the Roman Circus and the Roman Circus Visitor Centre in Roman Circus Walk which is run by the Colchester Archaeological Trust.
Colchester is recognised as not only the oldest recorded town in the country but the first Roman city in Britain.
Under its Roman name Camulodunum, Colchester was granted colonia status in AD 49.
The centre, opened in 2013, was set up to promote the city’s Roman links and the country’s only known Roman circus, a site identified in 2004 which was built in in the early second century CE.
Mr Blois thinks the centre is underappreciated and said he was approached by two visitors during his own trip to the centre recently.
He said: "They came from Cirencester, a famous Roman town with a rich history and a very modern museum displaying all that has been found from the Roman period.
"He asked straight away, 'why is this place so undervalued in the city?', with very little major signage in the city centre, which made it so hard for them to find it.
"Our council should make every effort to publicise this venue, provide a more straightforward route to it, now it has the chance to.
"It is undoubtedly a big embarrassment for visitors to take away, over the lack of pride this council seems to have in this amazing site.
"Something needs to be done now we have the chance to, otherwise it will again be lost in a labyrinth of housing."
It is believed the Roman Circus could have seated up to 8,000 spectators and would have been used as a venue for spectator sports, including chariot-racing.
Currently the centre is displaying the skeletal remains and lead coffin of a Roman woman believed to be in her 20s or 30s.
Dubbed the Lexden Lady, she was buried with jet hairpins and a collection of rare glass flasks, suggesting she was a woman of high status.
Her burial site was discovered due to ongoing work at the former Essex County Hospital which is being turned into 120 homes.
A Colchester Council spokesperson said: "The Roman Circus is one of Colchester's most important heritage attractions and we work closely with the Visitor Centre and our tourism partners to promote the site and encourage people to visit.
“The circus features prominently on the Visit Colchester website, in visitor maps and guides, and in a range of promotional activities.
“The Visitor Centre also runs guided walks exploring Roman Colchester, while a popular self-guided family trail has been developed to help residents and visitors discover the city's Roman heritage, including the Circus.
“We recognise the importance of helping visitors find and enjoy Colchester's historic attractions.
“The council has previously worked with partners on wider wayfinding initiatives, and the City Centre Masterplan identifies improved wayfinding, heritage signage and better pedestrian connections to attractions such as the Roman Circus, St Botolph's Priory and other key heritage destinations as part of wider efforts to increase footfall and strengthen the city's visitor offer.
“Far from being overlooked, the Roman Circus is actively promoted through our tourism channels, visitor information and heritage trails, helping thousands of residents and visitors discover this unique part of Colchester's history.”
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