![]() When the museum service moved from the site in 2006, the feature was in a very poor state, so the local authority decided to dispose of it. He said efforts were made to try to preserve it but it proved impossible to protect the artefact from the weather. 'As there was insufficient space inside the building, the water feature had to be stored outside in the car park area.' It was left in the open with just a tarpaulin over it.'Ī Colchester Council spokesman said: 'Unfortunately, because of its fragile state, the water feature suffered significant damage while it was being lifted - notably a major crack - which presented a significant conservation challenge when it arrived at the former museum stores at Jarmin Road. The thought was it could have been re-sited where the public could enjoy it. He added: 'It was taken to what we thought was a place of safety. Sir Bob Russell – the High Steward of the city – has accused the council of hiding the fact it was destroyed.ĭenney said the water feature was the 'only one in the country' he was aware of. ![]() ![]() The former Iron Age capital was then turned into a Colonia – a city for retired veterans and their families – around six years later.ĭenney, who works as a Community Fellow for the Department of History at the University of Essex, said the exact age of the fountain was unknown, but it could have been built as early as the late 1st century AD. Colchester Council was given the stone basin for safe keeping after it was discovered in the city during an excavation in 2000Ĭolchester-based historian Patrick Denney said the water feature would have likely been found in a garden attached to the back of a Roman villa.Īccording to the historical author, a legionary fortress was built in the city soon after the Roman conquest of Britain in 43AD. A 'unique' Roman water feature salvaged from an archaeological dig was left to disintegrate in a car park by the local authority, it has emerged. ![]()
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