Early medieval remains on land a djacent to St Nicholas' Church, Great Wakering (EHER 18259)

Trial trenching recorded a pit and several ditches, and subsequent excavation recorded a possible manufacturing area and two inhumations. Within one of the Saxon ditches was found a carved stone block, with coiled serpent decoration, and with a date range of late 8th to the 10th centuries. It may have come from the minster described in EHER 19979.

1998. Trial trenching. Saxon Activity included a pit and a number of ditches producing 149g of early Saxon pottery dating to around 410-650 AD. This is seen as significant evidence to support the hypothesis that there was occupation in the area during this period, although no evidence of the putative minster (EHER 19979) was found. <1> 2000. Archaeological excavation. Saxon activity on the site was characterised by a series of finds and features that included enclosure ditches, a possible manufacturing area and two inhumations. Within one of the Saxon ditches was found a carved stone block, with coiled serpent decoration, and with a date range of late 8th to the 10th centuries. This is likely to have come from a church interior furnishing and would be consistent with use in a minster church, for which there is substantial documentary evidence, see EHER 19979. Finds include mid Saxon pottery and metalwork. <2> Photo of stone (copyright ECC FAU). <3>