Element Group record MCC10388 - Group of charcoal-rich pits at Lodge Farm, Boxted Road, Great Horkesley

Summary

An archaeological excavation by Colchester Archaeological Trust in 2018 revealed 42 charcoal-rich pits (i.e. pits containing charcoal-rich fills), ranging in date from the Early Iron Age to the post-medieval or modern periods (late 15th to 19th/20th century), as well as a Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pit, an Early Iron Age pit, a late medieval pit and a number of undated features. In addition, two medieval or post-medieval ditches were also revealed.

Location

Grid reference Centred TL 9827 3136 (102m by 102m)
Map sheet TL93SE
County ESSEX
Civil Parish GREAT HORKESLEY, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

An area measuring 8714m² was stripped in advance of the erection of new agricultural buildings and associated works; the full extent of the achaeological sit is unknown.

The charcoal-rich pits were sub-round in shape, ranging in diameter from 0.32m to 1.71m, and also sub-oval, ranging from 0.2m to 1.97m. Their depth varied from between 0.02m and 0.43m. In general, they appeared to be scattered across the development site. Several of the charcoal-rich pits were scorched.

Seven of the charcoal-rich pits contained datable finds. F18 contained a small piece of medieval or post-medieval possible CBM, while F29 contained 55 sherds of prehistoric (Early Iron Age / Middle Iron Age) pottery. 31 sherds of medieval (early 13th- to late 14th-century) pottery were recovered from charcoal-rich pit F31, and four sherds of medieval (early 13th- to late 14th-century) pottery from F39. F41 yielded 7 sherds of medieval (mid 12th- to late 14th-century) pottery. F42 produced an assemblage of Early Iron Age / Middle Iron Age pottery, comprising 170 sherds from an estimated eight vessels. This feature also contained moderate quantities of charred wheat and rye which provided a radiocarbon date of 380-204 cal BC (SUERC-84433; 2226 ± 24 BP; 95% probability), which is Middle Iron Age. F44 contained a single sherd of post-medieval (late 15th- to 19th-century) pottery.

297 sherds (3,357g) of pottery were recovered from the investigations. In particular, there were 238 sherds (c.2.5kg) of prehistoric pottery (the majority flint-tempered) from 8 vessels (rim EVREP/0.59 EVE). The bulk of this pottery came from charcoal-rich pit F42 (170 sherds weighing 2.3kg) with a smaller assemblage from charcoal-rich pit F29 (55 sherds weighing 124g) and 2 sherds (4g) from pit F49. A date spanning the late Early Iron Age and into the Middle Iron Age (6th-4th centuries BC), is likely for the prehistoric pottery from F29, F42, and F49 with the possibility of some earlier (Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age) material.

The excavation followed an evaluation by Britannia Archaeology in 2018.<2>

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> EXCAV REPORT: Hicks, Elliott and Pooley, Laura. 2019. Archaeological strip, map and record project at Lodge Farm, Boxted Road, Great Horkesley, Essex, CO6 4AP. CAT Report 1337.
  • <2> Evaluation Report: Baker, Matthew J.. 2018. Lodge Farm, Boxted Road, Great Horkesley. Archaeological Evaluation.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Mar 26 2020 10:26AM

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