Trial trenching by Britannia Archaeology at Birch Lodge, Anchor Lane, Canewdon, 2018 - EEX59768

The evaluation did not encounter any archaeological features or finds. NRHE data transfer: Site code: CWBL18. On the 19th March 2018, Britannia Archaeology Ltd (BA) undertook a trial trench evaluation in advance of the erection of 14 dwellings located at Birch Lodge, Anchor Lane, Canewdon, Essex (NGR TQ 8974 9430). The archaeological background suggested a medium to high potential to encounter remains dating to the Iron Age, Anglo-Saxon, medieval and post-medieval. There was also a low potential for encountering archaeology from all other periods. Despite the above potential, the evaluation did not encounter any archaeological features or finds. Two phases of activity were identified. The first phase relates to the previous use of the site as agricultural fields during the post-medieval period and early-mid modern period. This phase is represented by Agricultural Sub Soil 1005. The second phase relates to the landscaping and levelling of the site for the construction of the house in the early 1970s (still extant) which is represented by Made Ground layers 1002 and 1004, and Levelling Layer 1003. Despite the potential for archaeological features from the Iron Age through to the post-medieval period none were identified during the evaluation. The evaluation did however identify a fragment of a post-medieval/modern sub soil which confirms the site's previous use as an agricultural field during the post-medieval and modern periods before being landscaped and levelled for the construction of the house and garden in the early 1970s. Information from OASIS Online Form.