Trial trenching and archaeological excavation by Archaeology South-East on land south of Brays Lane, Rochford, 2012-2013 - EEX56562

Evaluation by trial trenching followed by open area excavation. NRHE data transfer: Site code: RFBL12. Archaeological investigation was carried out on land south of Brays Lane, Rochford, in advance of the construction of a housing estate. Initial trial trenching evaluation of the development area established the presence of significant archaeological remains of Roman date, particularly within its western half. The subsequent investigation of two open excavation areas exposed a complex of ditches, pits and other Roman period features spanning a mid 1st to late 4th century date range. These remains define two broad phases of Roman period landscape development, the majority of the boundary ditches defining an earlier Roman enclosure system and its later Roman replacement. This enclosed landscape was probably predominantly agricultural in its nature, perhaps pastoral fields as suggested by a funnel-like entrance into one of the enclosures. No convincing structural remains, such as a dwelling, that demonstrate contemporary occupation of the site have been identified. However, the presence of rubbish pits and cultural material presumably also deposited as rubbish in the ditches is indicative of settlement activity nearby - perhaps a farmstead associated with this field system. Information from OASIS Online Form.