Possible post-medieval barge landing place, Landermere Creek (EHER 7453)

This site was once thought to be a red hill associated with salt making, and a mound is still visible here. However, the layers of chalk that are visible in section are likely to have been laid down to form a landing place for barges involved in coastal trade or carriage of materials.

The site is listed by R. H. Farrands as a red hill and still remains as a mound (see EHER 3525) but unfortunately there are features which cast doubt on its being a genuine red hill. <1> The site is sectioned by a marsh outfall ditch and the observed layers included one with charcoal fragments and chalk but no briquetage, and containing a weathered sherd of post medieval glass; and a layer of rammed chalk with a flat top. Chalk layers have not been reported from any other Essex red hill. However, chalk was used in the late 18th century and 19th century for sea defence construction and it is likely that these two layers were laid down as a landing place for barges involved in coastal trade or carriage of materials. The wooden riveting of the ditch walls at this point reinforce this conclusion. Two layers below the chalk may be redeposited material (see EHER 3525). R.H. Farrands collected a piece of post medieval bottle glass from the site. <2>