Late 18th century dam wall, northeast of Longpole Reach, Blue House Farm Nature Reserve (EHER 19587)
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Summary
One of two dam walls (another is recorded in EHER 19588) which was in place by 1775, crossing the line of the fleet and separating fresh water draining from the west from the salt-water fleet. The dams created a large sheet of fresh water which could be utilised for stock on the farm.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TQ 8693 9701 (190m by 125m) Fig. 7 |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | PURLEIGH, MALDON, ESSEX |
Type and Period
Description
March-May 1999. Fieldwalking survey.
The sea walls are broadly similar across the marsh area, with flat tops and moderate sloping sides, on average 8.0 - 10.0 m wide and 2.0 - 4.0m high. Material for their construction came from ditches on both flanks and from barrow pits and scrapes alongside.
One of two dam walls (wall 10, another is recorded in EHER 19588) which was in place by 1775, crossing the line of the fleet and separating fresh water draining from the west from the salt-water fleet. The dams created a large sheet of fresh water which could be utilised for stock on the farm. <1>
Sources
- <1> SEX61225 Report: Pattison, P. and Barker, L.. 2000. Blue House Farm, North Fambridge, Essex: An Archaeological Survey of the Grazing Marshes.