Multi-period remains at Proposed Links Solar Farm, Braintree (EHER 80265)

Geophysical survey suggested the presence of an Iron Age or Roman settlement and/or field system in the NE of the site, and evaluation identified two phases of Roman occupation in Field H. An undated ring ditch in the centre of the site was investigated by trial trenching and, although a more precise date for the feature could not be ascribed, a pit also from this area yielded Bronze Age finds. Probable post-medieval field boundaries identified by the geophysical survey were also confirmed by trial trenching. Geophysical survey also identified undated ridge and furrow in the SW of the site, and evaluation also identified several discrete features which produced possibly Neolithic and Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age pottery from Field E.

August 2021. Geophysical survey. Several linear trends were identified which are likely to be archaeological in origin. However without further investigation they cannot be definitively confirmed as being archaeological in nature. In the NE of the site (Field H) a series of linear trends suggesting a system of enclosures was detected. The form of the anomalies is consistent with Iron Age / Romano-British / Roman settlement and field systems. A well-defined area of enhanced magnetism has also been detected which may potentially be associated with an associated structure. However, data collection and interpretation has been limited by magnetic interference from overhead powerlines. Towards the centre of the site (Field D) a weak, but very well-defined, circular anomaly has been detected. The response is approximately 15m in diameter and consistent with a ring ditch type feature. There is also the suggestion of a possible central pit-like feature within it. In the SW of the site (Fields A, B, and C) several linear trends have been detected. Many of these correspond with former field divisions shown on the tithe map of 1841 and on the 1st and 2nd edition OS maps. Additional trends have been noted which are also thought to indicate former field boundaries, although these are not indicated on past mapping of the area. Lastly, a well-defined area of ridge and furrow cultivation has been recorded in the SW of the site. <1> August 2023. Trial trenching. Trial trenching targeted linear anomalies revealed by the geophysical survey and revealed two concentrations of archaeological activity. Field H appears to have had two different Roman phases of occupation with dateable finds from the mid to late 1st to 2nd centuries recovered from Trench 285 and 305 and from the mid to late 2nd to 4th centuries in Trench 273 and 279. The archaeology comprised of linear features, a possible field boundary and an irregular pit. One linear feature, a curvilinear feature (which may have been that identified by the geophysical survey?) and groups of pits and post holes were identified in nine of 42 trenches in Field D. Bronze Age finds were recovered from one pit in Trench 157, with no other features containing dateable finds. Two undated boundary ditches and one undated pit were found in Field A, and one undated boundary ditch in Field B. No dateable finds were recovered from Fields A and B. Their profile and dimensions are suggestive of former field boundaries also identified both in the geophysical survey and in the Tithe map for the Parish of Bardwell (1841). All the information combined might indicate post-medieval to modern activity in these fields. In Field C a number of post holes and pits were located across several trenches but were absent of dateable artefactual material. Three linear features in Trench 43, 63 and 95 contained dateable finds from the Early/Middle to Late Iron Age, Late Iron Age to c. AD60/70 and Bronze Age, respectively, suggesting limited evidence of continuous occupation from the Late Bronze Age to the earlier Roman period. Evaluation also identified several post holes and pits which produced possibly Neolithic and Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age pottery from Field E. <2> Aerial photographs of the site were recorded during the excavation phase of the work in 2024 with two large open area excavations being carried out while the solar arrays are being constructed around them <3-4>