Possibly Anglo-Saxon to medieval land boundaries, 77-79 High Street, Maldon (EHER 46097)

Trial trenching in 2003 recorded parallel ditched gullies of possible Anglo-Saxon origin, which are likely to represent the division of land plots to the rear of the High Street.

July 2003. Trial trenching. The site revealed evidence of activity associated with the medieval and post-medieval use of back plots of the High Street, probably as far back as the Saxo-Norman period. The presence of parallel ditched gullies of probable early date along the rear plots is indicative of land holding divisions. Significantly, one contained undiagnostic shell-tempered sherds of a possible early-middle Saxon date. There were no obvious indications that these were structural (for example beam-slots). A later post-medieval/modern unlined well or large pit was also recorded. The evidence fits well with the known pattern of occupation along the High Street, with activity of the late Saxon and medieval periods recorded in adjacent archaeological works, with 10th century and later occupation centred on the church and market place. The finds assemblage is typical of such an estuarine location, with a predominance of seafood mollusc shells such as oyster, whelk and mussel. <1>