Nearly 1,700 years after being buried, the remains of a Roman resident of Colchester have been discovered by archaeologists near to the former St Mary's hospital.

Archaeologists found the body of the unknown Roman adult of the third century along with pottery remains at Topfield, a former doctor's house next to the hospital.

Both Topfield and St Mary's cover the ancient appoach road to the ceremonial Roman Balkerne Gate along which two temples are known to have existed.

Now it is thought the discovery could indicate the presence of a cemetery under parts of the derelict and soon to be redeveloped site.

With this in mind, archaeologists from the Colchester Archaeological Trust began digging at the hospital site on Tuesday to discover what lies beneath and to advise architects for developers Jaygate homes.

Jaygate Homes hopes to get planning permission to turn the 7.6-acre site into a residential development to replace the Victorian hospital buildings.

Topfield has been bought by a seperate developer and plans for three-storey town houses have been lodged with Colchester Council.

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