Roman gravel pits, well, kiln and probable road, Crescent Road (EHER 81896)

Archaeological excavation in 1972 recorded Roman activity through the 1st-4th centuries AD. Residual artefacts served as the primary evidence for early Romano-British activity on the site and included diagnostic pottery such as south Gaulish Samian ware and Pomeian Red ware, alongside other datable material such as an amphora stamp of around AD 40-49 and a coin of Claudius I. The earliest identifiable features are a series of dominating boundary ditches which the excavators interpreted as being established in this period and which are recorded in later periods (see EHER 7796). Two parallel ditches form a road which influenced the layout of the area, especially in the later periods. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries there is evidence for gravel extraction (amorphous gravel pits) within an enclosed area and a probable timber-lined well was also recorded. It was presumably in continuous use until its filling in the mid-late 3rd century. Another pit to the east was probably also timber-lined. A layer of gravel metalling was laid in the mid-late 3rd century and represents a distinct change in the nature of activity on the site: shapeless, shallow gravel diggings within an enclosure giving way to a small group of distinctive features. The well was back-filled with a very dark soil which was rich in domestic debris. The gravel metalling went out of use in the early 4th century and a subsoil accumulated over the top of it. A number of post holes were cut through the subsoil, forming a rectangular structure of either late Roman or Saxon date (see EHER 7796 for further discussion).

March-May 1972. Archaeological excavation. Archaeological excavation in 1972 recorded evidence for an extensive Roman settlement which was in existence from the mid 1st century AD to the 4th century AD, when the site saw reuse and continued occupation into the 5th century (see EHER 7796). <1> Mid 1st Century AD. The primary evidence for early Romano-British activity on the site comes from residual artefacts, particularly a coin of Claudius I, a legionary apron mount, Nauheim derivative brooches, a scatter of south Gaulish Samian, and of other early wares, particularly an amphora stamp of around AD 40-49 and a sherd of Pompeian Red ware. Some contemporary features have probably been destroyed by later activity. The earliest identifiable features to survive relate to the two ditch lines which remain a dominant feature of the site's topography until the early Saxon period (EHER 7796). Elsewhere, it appears the other principle boundary ditch was established at this time. The longevity of the boundary lines established at this period suggests that they are of more than local significance, i.e. that they relate to the framework of the Romano-British small town generally. There is evidence in later phases that the east-west ditch, and its successor, defined the north side of a road. In particular, the gravel metalling on its supposed frontage at the end of the early 3rd century, and the site of the early medieval rectangular building (EHER 7796). Confirmation of this pattern is provided by cropmarks to the east of the settlement. The landscape context will be discussed further below, but the assumption of a street south of the line of the ditch is implicit in much of what follows. Later 1st Century AD. The east-west road ditch was dug, following the alignment of its predecessor. It was around 2.75m wide and around 0.80m deep (and below a later episode of gravel metalling). The spoil was probably thrown up on the north side; although no trace of a bank survived. The bottom-most layer contained pottery, burnt daub, and a sherd of Belgic grog-tempered ware, re-used as a spindle whorl. The full extent of the ditch is uncertain, since its termination is lost in a 2nd century gravel pit (see below). It is, however, probable that it ended near the eastern limit of the gravel pit, forming an enclosure with an entrance between its butt end and a north-south ditch. This latter ditch was recut several times across a span of six metres, the outermost limits being clearly seen as soil marks after the subsoil had been removed. The remaining features, largely post-holes, all lie within the suggested enclosure and again indicate a concentration of activity in the north-western part of the site. Only a sub-rectangular pit, partially filled from the west with tips of gravel, merits detailed description. There were two post-holes in the western and eastern corners, the northern edge of the pit lay under an unexcavated baulk and there was no post-hole in evidence in the southern corner, which was partially cut away by a later gravel pit. It is possible, given the regularity of the pit, that it was originally timber-lined. 2nd Century. The east-west road ditch was recut in the 2nd century. Some gravel digging took place on the eastern side of the excavated area. The remaining features all concentrate in the north-western quadrant of the site, and form a group of contiguous amorphous hollows, presumably the result of gravel digging. Late 2nd - Early 3rd Century (up to the laying of the gravel metalling) . The east-west road ditch was recut, for the second time, in the late 2nd century, allowing a layer of gravel to accumulate. This contained much normal domestic debris. The new cut gradually silted up during the early 3rd century with a black pebbly loam. This contained residual Iron Age material, as well as contemporary Roman pottery. The east end of the ditch was cut away early in the 3rd century by the digging of a large, amorphous gravel pit, (mentioned above), only partly excavated. At this time, an outer, wider, ditch was dug. The spoil from it was thrown up on the inside, finally sealing the east-west road ditch. In its eastern half, the new ditch cut away the edge of the gravel pit. There was an attempt to dig a pit to drain the entire area. Around AD 225-250, the entire outer ditch and some surrounding depressions in the subsoil were filled with a dump of black, charcoally loam which contained pottery, tile, opus signinum, large amounts of slag, tile tesserae, briquetage, vitrified clay, iron, copper alloy and lead. It was probably in this phase that the well shaft was first dug. The shaft was square and almost certainly once lined with timber, though no trace survived. The well was presumably in continuous use until its filling in the mid-late 3rd century. Another pit to the east was probably also timber lined and supported by four corner posts. Other features belonging to this phase were mostly amorphous gravel digging holes. The black charcoally loam described above was deposited specifically to level up the south-western quadrant of the site, ready for the laying down of the gravel metalling on the street frontage in the second quarter of the 3rd century, i.e. at the end of this phase. Its eastern limit at this date is uncertain, since it was extended at the end of the late 3rd century. The gravel was kept in use as the Roman ground surface throughout the 3rd century, contemporary debris being trodden into its surface. Mid-Late 3rd Century. The laying of the gravel metalling represents a distinct change in the nature of activity on the site: shapeless, shallow gravel diggings within an enclosure giving way to a small group of distinctive features. The well, (which was probably first dug in the 2nd century) filled up with a very dark loamy soil. This contained a group of pottery, which, along with the material from three other pits, must represent the output of a local kiln; and other domestic debris, including 114 iron nails, briquetage, substantial pieces of a Rhenish lava quern; bone and oyster were also well-preserved. One of the pits also contained a large quantity of domestic refuse, including window glass, tile (some pieces mortared), briquetage, opus signinum, much slag (in the bottom layer) and 132 iron nails. The shape of the pit is reminiscent of a pottery kiln. Another of the three pits was probably used for storage; it had steep sides and a flat bottom above the water table. A group of shallow post-holes and three stake-holes all lay on the arc of a circle, and possibly formed a fence, screening the pits described above. 4th Century. Early in the 4th century, the gravel metalling went out of use, and a dark brown pebbly loamy subsoil accumulated over it to a maximum depth of 0.17 m, except in the north-western corner. In the south-western quadrant of the site, a number of post holes were cut through the subsoil and the gravel. Many formed part of a rectangular structure of either late Roman or Saxon date (see EHER 7796). Several pits belong to this period, and the enclosure ditch also silted up at this time. <1> Finds of pottery of Roman date, were made in 1972 during the excavation of a roughly 1600 sq. m site at Crescent Road, Heybridge. An infilling of Roman pottery and domestic refuse, overlain with gravel, suggested that the area had been cleared and levelled by the early 2nd century, and it was thought this might represent a wharf, though there was no immediate river frontage. Third and 4th century pottery was also found, but there was no trace of masonry structures other than the presence of tesserae, squared stone, and "Concrete Floors". Roman finds had previously been made in the vicinity (EHER 7814). <2> <3> This site at Heybridge is included by Rodwell as a small undefended Roman Town of the Trinovantes. He also suggests the undated earthwork of the alleged Saxon burgh (EHER 7766) may represent an embanked Roman town. <4> September 1976. Field visit. The area of the 1972 excavations is now covered by modern housing. <5> Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. NRHE summary description: A multi period settlement with evidence of Bronze Age, Iron Age, Romano-British and Early Medieval occupation. A Bronze Age hut and an Iron Age enclosed settlement were found with circular and rectangular structures. There is evidence for 2nd, 3rd and 4th century Roman occupation which Rodwell suggests is a town, and recent excavations would tend to confirm this. 5 Grubenhäuser of early Anglo-Saxon date were excavated. Note: The material described in this record may be associated with the settlement at Elms Farm, see EHER 17445.