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'Extraordinary' Roman arcade found in Colchester

Archaeologists in Colchester have found what could be the biggest Roman arcade ever built in Britain.

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Giant Roman arcade found underneath block of Colchester flats

It's being described as one of the most exciting archaeological finds in this region in recent times.

A giant Roman arcade, found beneath a new block of flats in Colchester.

Longer than a running track and taller than two double decker buses - it's almost certainly the biggest of its kind in the whole of Britain.

Click below to watch a report from ITV News Anglia's Serena Sandhu

Archaeologists hail discovery of 'extraordinary' Roman arcade in Colchester

The Roman arcade was discovered in Colchester. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Archaeologists in Colchester have found what could be the biggest Roman arcade ever built in Britain.

The arches and columns supported a massive gateway to a temple dedicated to the emperor Claudius.

It was eventually razed to the ground by the Iceni tribe led by Queen Boadicea.

"The arcade is the largest thing of its kind that we know of in Britain.

In fact, there was a similar structure found in France very recently and that is about 70 metres long - ours is 120 metres long.

It's extraordinary."

– Philip Crummy, Colchester Archaeologist Trust

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