Monument record MCC9096 - Cropmark of a henge? monument, 70m north east of Cross Cottages, Boxted

Summary

Circular enclosure with two opposed entrances (probable henge?), recorded as cropmarks by air photography. Dark spot in centre

Location

Grid reference Centred TM 008 327 (250m by 247m)
Map sheet TM03SW
Civil Parish BOXTED, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

Circular enclosure with 2 opposed entrances, henge? Dark spot in centre. Linear features also plotted and on APs.<1>-<7>

First identified in 1975 as a henge on morphological grounds, the monument has since been targeted by aerial survey and showed up particularly well in June 1980 and August 1983 when photographed by the Air Photo Unit of the RCHM(E) and local aerial photographer Mrs Ida McMaster.
The ?henge is defined by a broad circular, penannular ditch, infilled and buried, with two opposing entrances to the north and south. The external diameter of the ditched enclosure is some 40m; the ditch itself is 5m wide, giving an internal diameter of some 30m. Several large pit-like features are clearly visible as cropmarks within the area delimited by ditch and bank; these are considered to represent features related to the ritual use of the enclosure. Date: If the monument proves to be a ritual henge it will date to the Neolithic period.

Site Assessment, May 1999: Although the henge is no longer visible on the ground, archaeological deposits will survive as buried features. When visited the field was under barley with a 2 year system of crop rotation (barley, sugar beet, potatoes). The field was walked over accompanied ny the owner, however, no trace of the henge ditch or internal features were visible.<8>

Sources/Archives (8)

  • <1> DESC TEXT: unknown. 1960 0nwards. SMR form unknown.
  • <2> RECORD SHEET/FORM: Ordnance Survey. unknown. OS cards. TM03SW30, 1976.
  • <3> Map: McMaster, I. 1975. Colchester Archaeol Group Annu Bull. Vol 18, p15.
  • <4> AP: McMaster, I. 1980. 13. Date 1980:6.
  • <5> AP: McMaster, I. 1980. 28. Date 1980:7.
  • <6> AP: McMaster, I. unknown. McMaster.
  • <7> Map: Ingle, CJ, Strachan, D, Tyler, S and Saunders, H. 1993-2012. NMP Cropmark Plot - 1:10,000.
  • <8> DESC TEXT: Tyler, Sue. 1999. Boxted henge 100m N of Homedale Cottages.

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Record last edited

Jan 5 2024 10:40AM

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