Cropmarks of Prehistoric ring and linear ditches (EHER 2883)

Two large ring ditches one with central pit.

Two large ring ditches one with central pit. A scatter of pits lie to the north. <1> - <10>, <13>. In 1990 the site was fieldwalked as part of an assessment of the proposed line of the A133 Little Clacton and Weeley Heath Bypass. In the vicinity of two large ring ditches and a series of possibly associated linear ditches, a number of significant flints were retrieved from the field's surface. 23 struck flakes were collected, many bearing much of the cortex, suggesting knapping was being carried out nearby. Three tools, all flint blades, and a single sherd of prehistoric pottery were also found. The flint is probably of Mesolithic and early Neolithic date. <11> In July 1993 this site was excavated prior to the construction of the Clacton-Weeley Bypass. the excavation at TM 158191 next to the ring ditches found several linear ditches and other features, containing both burnt and worked flint, and pottery provisionally identified as being prehistoric in date. <12> Photography taken in 2008 revealed further ring-ditches visible to the north of the two previously known features. At least two smaller ring-ditches can be seen, with a possible two further partial ring-ditches also visible. These features are not recorded on the original NMP <14> These ring-ditches are also visible on 2009 AP's <18> Information from NRHE data transfer. The NRHE records that the site contains cropmarks for two ring ditches. <7> <20> <21>