Colchester: Archaeologists unearth the 2,000-year-old remains of a warrior’s grave at golf course

Archaeologists have unearthed the 2,000-year-old remains of a warrior’s grave at a Colchester golf course.

The say the discovery, which includes fragments of five spearheads, earthenware and some cremated bones, is important in helping them understand the society of the time.

The find was made during work to build an extension at Playgolf in Lexden earlier this year. Archaeologists were unable to examine the whole grave because of the work schedule but have taken away enough to glean some historical clues.

Don Shimmin, of the Colchester Archaeologist Trust, said: “The remains date back to the late Iron Age or early Roman period and were from one of the indigenous Celtic tribes living in the area.

“The quality of the finds are akin to those found in Stanway in the 1990s, which are now recognised as being of national importance.

“They show the hierarchy in society at the time and how the elite were treated at burial. Few people would have been buried in this way.”

The spear fragments, which were discovered in February, were sent to a specialist who took months to piece them together before recently returning them.

It has yet to be decided whether the finds will be displayed in the new golf building or donated to Colchester Museum.