Early Iron Age unenclosed settlement and Middle Iron Age (or earlier) subrectangular enclosure on the site of the Orsett Causewayed Enclosure (EHER 5159)

Archaeological investigation of a Neolithic causewayed enclosure (EHER 5158) in 1975 recorded post hole evidence indicating a 6th-5th century BC unenclosed settlement. The upper level of the inner causeway enclosure ditch also contained Early Iron Age domestic rubbish and it is thought that the ditches probably survived into this period as shallow depressions, though the area may have been given over to pasture in the preceding Bronze Age period. A subrectangular enclosure had also been identified as cropmark prior to excavation and was sampled. It produced Early and Middle Iron Age pottery an, from this, an occupation period of 300-50BC was suggested.

1975. Archaeological excavation. No Bronze Age activity was identified but Early Iron Age occupation of the southern central area of the Neolithic causewayed enclosure (EHER 5158) was found. The upper level of the inner ditch contained Early Iron Age domestic rubbish. Most of the Early Iron Age finds came from a scatter of pits. Only three of these seemed to have been typical storage pits. Many of the pits were no more than scoops or hollows. Many of the 140 or so post holes in this area were thought to be Early Iron Age. No coherent patterns could be discovered. Two roughly circular areas were devoid of post holes and could reflect hut floors but the encircling post holes were not convincing as huts. Linear post holes were detected. Cattle, sheep and horse bones were found, in small amounts. The causewayed enclosure ditches had probably survived into this period as shallow depressions. They were filled by renewed occupation. The lack of tree root holes suggested the area had been given over to pasture in the preceding Bronze Age. One pit contained a small amount of carbonized seeds. Saddle and rotary quern fragments were further evidence for grain cultivation. Finds included spindle whorls, whetstones, triangular loom weights, a number of iron rings, an iron round-headed pin, and cylindrical clay objects. Pieces of daub and baked clay with wattle impressions indicated structures. Trees available for exploitation at this period included oak, hornbeam, hawthorn and hazel. The evidence indicates unenclosed settlement during the 6th-5th centuries BC, probably continuous occupation. It was possible to divide this period into two phases, on stratigraphic and pottery evidence. A radio-carbon date from the inner causewayed ditch was 564 + - 81bc. In this inner area of the causewayed enclosure, a subrectangular enclosure had previously been recognised as a cropmark. It was sampled during the excavation. It produced Early Iron Age and some later pottery, comparable to Middle Iron Age pottery found at Little Waltham. It was suggested that this dated the enclosure to the Middle Iron Age, and a date range of 300-50BC is suggested. No Late Iron Age or Roman features were recorded. The end of the Middle Iron Age occupation can be compared to Gun Hill (see EHER 1790) where changes at this period seemed to be economic with a move to pastoralism. A bronze fibula dating from around 100BC-60AD was a residual find from a Saxon ring ditch (see EHER 5161). <1> Finds deposited in Thurrock Museum. <2> See also <3>-<8>. See aerial photograph <9>, photographs <10> <11> and aerial photograph transcription <12>. See also <13> <14> <15> which may contain additional relevant information. See cropmark plot <16> for Middle Iron Age enclosure. Site Assessment: See EHER 5158. Note: Early-Middle Iron Age activity was also recorded approximately 1km to the north at Orsett Cock, see EHER 1857. NRHE data transfer: Cropmarks of an asymmetric rectilinear enclosure can be seen on aerial photographs at grid reference TQ 6517 8049. It is 50 x 42 metres in size with predominantly curved corners, internal divisions and externally attached ditches representing an annex or field boundaries. Within the enclosure are cropmarks of a sub-circular enclosure, 12 metres across with a pit-defined eastern entrance and possible internal hut circle. The westernmost corner of the rectilinear enclosure was investigated during excavations on the site in 1975 and an early Iron Age date established. The excavation evidence also indicated the continuance of occupation into the Middle Iron Age period. <1> The cropmarks of this site were plotted at 1:2500 scale by the RCHME Air Photography Unit in September 1994. This survey formed part of the larger Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic Project. (Event UID 927129, Parent Event UID 923509). <17> See also <18> - <21>. NRHE summary description: Cropmarks of an asymmetric rectilinear enclosure at Orsett, partly overlying the site of an earlier, Neolithic, causewayed enclosure (TQ 68 SE 21, EHER 5158). The enclosure is 50 by 42 metres with curved corners, some internal divisions, and externally attached ditches which may represent an associated annex or field boundaries. Within the enclosure are cropmarks representing a sub-circular enclosure 12 metres across with a pit-defined eastern entrance and a possible internal hut circle. The westernmost corner of the rectilinear enclosure was trial-trenched in 1975 during excavations focused mainly on the Neolithic enclosure. A late bronze Age/early Iron Age date seems likely for its earliest phase, while pottery and other finds suggest occupation in the area continued into the Middle Iron Age. Other features of Iron Age date included pits and post holes. The cropmarks were plotted by RCHME in 1994 as part of the Industry and Enclosure in the Neolithic period. See TQ 68 SE 21 for further details.