Post-medieval field boundary ditch and gravel pit, and multi-period finds assemblage at land off Stone Path Drive, Hatfield Peverel (EHER 80207)

Post-medieval archaeological features were identified mainly in the Eastern part of the site. They include a field boundary ditch recorded on the 1840 tithe map, a possible sand/gravel pit (of post-medieval or modern date) and an undated, shallow linear feature of probable agricultural origin. A number of metal-detected artefacts collected from the topsoil include a Roman hobnail, Early Saxon brooch and Roman to early post-medieval iron knife blade.

August 2020. Trial trenching. Post-medieval archaeological features were identified mainly in the Eastern part of the site. They include a field boundary ditch recorded on the 1840 tithe map, a possible sand/gravel pit (of post-medieval or modern date) and an undated, shallow linear feature of probable agricultural origin. A number of metal-detected artefacts collected from the topsoil include a Roman hobnail, Early Saxon brooch and Roman to early post-medieval iron knife blade. These did not correlate with archaeological features recorded by the evaluation, but may indicate some ephemeral level of land use activity within the site prior to the later post-medieval period. A single struck flint flake is the only prehistoric artefact recovered during the evaluation, albeit being residual in this context.