Palaeolithic pits, Grey Goose Farm, Orsett (EHER 5238)

A circular group of 'pit' features were excavated in 1976 and concluded to be 'non-sorted circles or mass displacement circles resulting from injection of subsurface material into the surface layer during a period of periglacial cold climate'.

1976. Archaeological excavation. A circular group of 'pit' features excavated in advance of A13. The features appeared to be separate, subcircular pits on aerial photographs (see EHER 5237 for record of cropmarks). On excavation it was apparent that some of the features were interconnected. Geomorphological investigation was carried out to determined the origin of the 'pit' features: 'it is suggested that they are non-sorted circles or mass displacement circles resulting from injection of subsurface material into the surface layer during a period of periglacial cold climate'. Most of the other 'pit' features in the complex are therefore likely to be natural features although a few, possibly four, may be 'rectangular 'pit' features akin to Grubenhäuser recognisable on air photographs at Mucking.' <1> <2> Plans and records stored with the Archaeology Section, copies lodged with Thurrock Museum. <3> <4> 19 photos in the EHER. <5> See also <6> <7>. See aerial photograph <8>.