Iron Age pit at Site 16, Cambridge to Epping pipeline (EHER 19445)
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Summary
The fieldwalking and watching brief in 1989 to 1990 in advance of the construction of pipeline uncovered an large Iron Age pit.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TL 5678 1763 (37m by 66m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | HATFIELD BROAD OAK, UTTLESFORD, ESSEX |
Type and Period
Description
1989 to 1990. Fieldwalking and watching brief.
This site represents an area of early Iron Age activity, the precise nature of that activity is far from clear. The steep sided profiles of the pits indicate that the features were dug and backfilled over a short period of time. However, the presence of clear 'tip' lines within the fill suggests that the pit was used on a number of occasions. It should be noted that the present surface of boulder clay subsoil has certainly been eroded considerably since the 5th century BC, principally by ploughing, and any ephemeral traces of settlement have since disappeared. It seems probable that we are dealing with a settlement site of which on the lower parts of deep pits and ditches remain. <1> - <5>
Sources
- <1> SEX70738 Desk-Based Assessment: Network Archaeology. 2001. Cambridge to Epping 1990 - 900mm Gas Pipeline - Desk based Assessment.
- <2> SEX70737 Geophysical Survey Report: Bartlett Consultancy. 2001. Cambridge to Epping 1990 - 900mm Gas Pipeline - Archaeogeophysical Survey Part 2.
- <3> SEX70735 DESC TEXT: Unknown. 1990. Cambridge to Epping 1990 - 900mm Gas Pipeline - MAPS.
- <4> SEX70736 DESC TEXT: Havis, R. ?. 1990. Cambridge to Epping 1990 - 900mm Gas Pipeline - CORRESPONDENCE NOTES.
- <5> SEX61231 DESC TEXT: Smoothy, M.D.. 1990. Cambridge to Epping 1990 - 900mm Gas Pipeline.