We would like to extend
our thanks to the landowner for providing MAHG with this exciting
opportunity and their kind hospitality. Apart from some cool weather we have
achieved some excellent results and been able to refine our original
thinking - filling in one more blank in the history of Essex and Iron
Age occupation in this particular area.
The
observed anomaly
is believed to be a rectangular
Iron Age defended enclosure, the purpose of which we hope to define by
further survey & excavation. The enclosure itself measures some 72 metres wide
(North / South) by 85 metres in 'visible' length (West / East) and is unusual
in its size and regular shape. The actual East / West dimension has
still to be determined as it appears to continue under the adjacent
modern track way and possibly into the next field. A number of the
ditches seem to have a strip of clay on the inner edge. Is this
evidence of the position of the rampart? The ditch fill consisted of typically
three distinct layers. All of the pot sherds have come from the top
fine silty fill. Were the ditches re-cut? With no pot
sherds after 1st Century AD, did the occupation cease and the site become
deserted for some reason?
The
North / South anomaly (track way , or whatever else it may be
considered to be) is likely to be of Bronze Age origin, or earlier.
Pottery
sherds from the ditch fills have been dated by Nick Lavender as a mix
of prehistoric and Middle Iron Age.
A
preliminary report has been prepared setting out the
findings of this initial site investigation. A copy is held in the
MAHG HQ library.
....
and that's another one!!! .... In goes Trench E.
For an overview of the crop marks see photo on
Geophysics
page.
TOP
SITE
RE-OPENS, 10th April 2010.
See
Notice Board page
for further information.
For
what's happening on site visit the Dig
Diary page.
By
way of a reminder - the dig will be open on Saturdays, weather permitting, 09:30 to 4:00 pm
& toilets are now available for our lady Members.
All
are welcome and we look forward to seeing you on site - even it's
just to see how things are going!
During
the dig season, If
you want to check that the dig is open on any given Saturday before heading off to the site, or for further information,
contact
Mike Rees on the day (before 09:00 hrs) on 01621 854974, or Heidi on
01376 501562.
PRELIMINARY
REPORTS
Our work
has been in three fields; South, Home, and Girton.
The following provides a summary of the Group's activities in each
of these three areas. For further information click on the icons
where indicated in the text below to download a full copy of the
relevant preliminary report.
South
Field has seen the most activity, but it is hoped to be able to tie
up some loose ends in 2009 before issuing a report.
In Home
& Girton Fields we have no immediate plans to continue so that
reports relating to these areas are currently in preparation.
Overview
of Cropmarks:
TOP
GIRTON
FIELD
There is
an area in Girton Field which we expected to be an ancient
settlement. Cropmarks on the aerial photographs show a number of
arcs and irregular lines and a curved line which could at one time
have been part of a boundary.
The area
concerned is towards the Northern limit of Girton Field. Along the
North field boundary due to the ploughing headland effect the ground
level in Girton Field is approximately 600 mm higher than in the
adjacent field. It is likely that the settlement continued north but
is masked by the increase in ground cover within Girton Field and
may have been affected by ploughing in the adjacent field.
The
straight lines, as seen elsewhere on Carrington Farm, also run
across the area, seemingly unconnected with the settlement and
therefore presumably dating from a different period.
For a copy of the Girton Field Preliminary
Report, click on the icon below.
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HOME
FIELD
For our
purposes Home Field is the area between the public footpath and the
bungalow.
GEOPHYSICAL
SURVEY 2003
Prior to
the 2003 excavations a resistivity survey was carried out. It can
now be seen that the only man-made feature recorded (CFH4) would
have been too deep to be located during the 2003 excavations.
EXCAVATIONS
2003
A total
of 8 trenches were excavated, all by hand and therefore quite
shallow. A report has been issued with regard to these excavations.
Iron Age and Roman pot sherds were widely distributed with the most
promising area being Trench 500, which also contained two post
holes.
CROPMARKS
Stuart
McPherson obtained additional aerial photographs and by combining
these with our original information a plan of the cropmarks in the
area was able to be prepared.
EXCAVATIONS
2008
The
initial purpose of these excavations was to look for Romano-British
habitation. This was anticipated because of the coins found and in
light of the finds from Trench Z. Any other periods encountered
would of course be followed up. Once again Doug Scott very
generously allowed us the use of his mechanical digger, upon which
Stuart is now becoming expert.
REDUCTION
OF GROUND LEVEL
Trenches
E, F, and G are our first trenches to be dug in the West of Home
Field and it is apparent that ground levels are now lower than when
the ditches were formed. This raises the possibility that the Roman
period habitation currently being sought was in this Western area
and that no further trace of it now remains.
With
regard to any link between Home Field and Girton Field, erosion will
have been greatest in the region of Trench E. Just further to the
West is a triangle of land which was until relatively recently part
of Girton Field and whilst now being reduced in level is therefore
far less eroded. A geophysical survey there may be worthwhile.
PRELIMINARY
CONCLUSION FROM 2008 EXCAVATIONS
There
seems to be every likelihood of there being no locatable
Romano-British dwelling in Home Field. Cropmarks do not give any
clues and the prospects looked at have proved negative. A better
knowledge of the ancient topography has been gained. And some
prehistoric interest has been raised. We also have an area of
medieval activity.
For a copy of the Home Field Preliminary Report,
click on the icon below.
TOP
SOUTH
FIELD
South
Field consists of an area to the South-east of the site and is an
area where a number of cremation burials have been excavated.
A report
on 2004 / 2005 activities and findings is currently in preparation.
A copy of the report on preceding years activity is available for
viewing at the MAHG HQ, prepared by ‘Nobby’ Clark who was the
MAHG Dig Director at the time.
For a copy of the South Field Roman pottery
analysis, prepared by Joyce Compton of Essex County Council’s FAU,
click on the icon below
MAHG
