Late Mesolithic or Early Neolithic features and finds assemblage at land at Weeley, Tendring (EHER 80363)

Four potentially struck flints from Area 6 and may be indicative of transient occupation of the site during the Late Mesolithic or Early Neolithic in the area of Trenches 77 and 126. Three pits (Trench 3 and 43) and two ditches (Trench 8 and 43) in the NW of the excavation area contained 16 sherds of Neolithic pottery.

January 2021. Trial trenching. Four potentially struck flints were recovered from the first terrace in Area 6 and may be indicative of transient occupation of the site during the Late Mesolithic or Early Neolithic in the area of Trenches 77 and 126 (centre of the site). It is unclear if the assemblage represents the remains of a ploughed-out flint scatter or accidental loss, but the unabraded nature of some of the flint suggests that limited movement has occurred. A small quantity of burnt flint, if of the same date, would suggest a period of occupation of the site. Three pits (Trench 3 and 43, North) and two ditches (Trench 8 and 43, North) in the NW of the excavation area contained 16 sherds of Neolithic pottery and are typical of regional fabric. Some are decorated and are most likely to belong to the Peterborough ware ceramic tradition. However, some of the assemblage could be from the decorated bowl, or other Early Neolithic ceramic tradition. The pottery is in moderate to poor condition, most sherds are small and abraded. <1> August 2021. Archaeological excavation. The evaluation found evidence of Neolithic activity, most prominently Trench 3 pit 305. This feature was further excavated in Area 1 but produced material of Late Bronze Age date. Reinvestigation of the assemblage from this feature can resolve this discrepancy. <2>