Middle to Late Bronze Age pits and possible enclosure, land West of Southminster Road (EHER 81309)

Trial trenching and excavation in 2017 recorded three elongated pits which were situated on a NW-SE alignment and, perhaps together with some undated pits and gullies, possibly define two sides of a rectilinear enclosure.

June-August 2017. Trial trenching and archaeological excavation. Middle to Late Bronze Age remains are confined to the SW of the excavation area. Three elongated, sub-oval pits were situated in a line on a NW-SE alignment and, perhaps together with some undated pits and gullies, possibly define two sides of a rectilinear enclosure. However, this perceived linearity may have been influenced by the placement of the evaluation trenches. Some of the dated features contain small artefact and environmental assemblages. If indeed these features form tangible alignments, it is possible that they provide evidence for the origins of enclosed settlement and fields in this landscape, that took place prior to the establishment of the Middle Iron Age enclosed farmstead (EHER 49137). <1>