Undated dene hole group and two wells, South of Brickbarn wood (EHER 5035)

Forty undated dene holes were found after heavy rain in June 1956. Also discovered was a shaft lined with chalk blocks and filled with human refuse, which had probably been a well associated with the workings.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Forty undated den holes were found in association with two wells. A parcel of gravel-bearing land on the terraces overlooking the floodplain of the Mardyke was worked by the East London Gravel Company. In the course of working, numerous small sump-like depressions appeared among the debris on the floor of the pit, and after heavy rains in June 1956, four of these depressions collapsed to reveal deneholes. They conformed to the standard pattern. All were trefoil in shape and quite large (each chamber was over 20ft long, one over 40ft). All had traces of smoke stains and rope marks at the entrance, and down both sides of the shafts were footholds. Several chambers had niches cut in them. There was a space of over 8ft between the existing floor level and the ceiling but the original floor level beneath the silt was not found, despite probing. Inspection of the area indicated that some 40 den holes exist. Also found-a shaft lined with chalk blocks and filled with human refuse, probably formerly a well. <1> <2> <3> Possibly TQ57-011 or part of it has been confused with this site as 40 den holes are also mentioned there (see EHER 5030) Additional reference <4> <5>