Prehistoric or medieval lynchets, south of Down Cottages, Manuden (EHER 3858)

Site of lynchets, cultivation terraces possibly indicating a field system of probable prehistoric date. They have also been previously recorded as medieval.

Lynchet series along side of hill sloping west to River Stort. Those extending from Down Cottages south through the small copse at TL 4945 2644 extremely well preserved. Those extending south of the copse are in a rather poor condition and are not so marked as the others. In cross-section the hedge line bounding the east sides of the fields containing lynchets is on top of a step-like bank. This is not interpreted as another lynchet as the adjoining fields are often at different levels. <1> Two well defined medieval cultivation terraces running north-south. Their southern ends have been destroyed by ploughing but where represented they are 20m wide x 3.5m high. Site Assessment = Part destroyed by ploughing. <2> NRHE data transfer: 1950. Field survey. A series of lynchets along the side of the hill which slopes westwards to the River Stort. Well preserved south of Down Cottages to the copse at TL 49452644 but in poorer condition, further south. <3> Visible on aerial photographs. <4> 1975. Field survey. Two well defined cultivation terraces running north-south on the west facing slope above the River Stort centred at TL 4945 2650. Their southern ends have been destroyed by ploughing, but where best preserved they are 20.0m wide by 3.5m high. <5>