Trial trenching by Heritage Network at William Julien Courtauld Hospital, London Road, Braintree, 2013 - EEX59451

Thirteen trial trenches were excavated following two watching briefs, EEX59452 and EEX59540. NRHE data transfer: Site code: HN1063. As the result of a condition on the planning permission for the redevelopment of the William Julien Courtauld Hospital, London Road, Braintree, Essex, the Heritage Network was commissioned by the developers to undertake a programme of archaeological evaluation. Trial trenches demonstrated that the western half of the site had been subject to significant terracing and modern disturbance, associated with the construction of the hospital. This was particularly evident in Trenches 5 and 6. Despite this, a number of features of late Iron Age, Roman and post-medieval date survive on the site. Evidence for late Iron Age and Roman activity was recorded from four trenches in the north-eastern quadrant of the site (Trenches 6, 8a, 10 and 11). The pottery recovered from the features and deposits in this area suggest domestic activity of early Roman date along the London Road, which may have extended to the west in the later Roman period. Evidence for post-medieval activity was encountered in the western and southern parts of the site. The remains of a possible quarry was encountered at the northern end of Trench 2, but no such feature is marked on the maps consulted for the desk-based assessment, suggesting that it may pre-date the late 18th century. Other features encountered appear to represent ponds and boundaries recorded on 19th century mapping. The remains of the post-medieval farmhouse that preceded the hospital on the site, were encountered in the northern half of Trench 11, close to London Road. This is represented on maps dating from at least the early 19th century. The building was clearly cellared, two walls of which were revealed in the south facing trench section. Accession no: BRNTM:2013.349. Information from OASIS Online Form.