Iron Age to Roman settlemant at Rush Lane, south of The Grange (EHER 7554)

Documented site of earthworks, interpreted as Iron Age to Roman settlement. Pottery of Iron Age and Roman date with tile fragments and coins found during excavations.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Downham, south of The Grange. Possible Iron Age 'A' earthworks. Iron Age and Roman occupation. Site unoccupied from end of the Roman period until circa 1000AD, followed by settlement (called Aldenlond) to end of 14th century. <1> An extensive scatter of tile fragments, Belgic and Roman pottery was noted at Downham, South Hanningfield. "Barbarous" coins were also found. <2> 1962. Excavation. Found in 1962. Iron Age burial - cremation in cinerary urn found by Wickford Archaeological Society during excavation. Finds possibly in London University. W.J. Rodwell claims the site is part of a hill fort with early iron age through to medieval occupation. <3> - <6> Finds are in Prittlewell Museum, Passmore Edwards Museum, and London University. <7> - <9> Found in 1962. Greek coin of Seriphos, of about 200 BC, "found by Wickford Arch. Soc. in field adjacent to road from Barn Hall to Downham Grange". Find is in British Museum Coin Dept. <10> October 1975. Field survey. No trace of "earthworks" was found in the area. The site lies on a prominent spur cut by an old hollow way and near the site of a dry spring (OS 6" 1961). The eastern side of the spur is under the plough and a few Iron Age sherds and Roman brick fragments were seen on the surface. The eastern side is under pasture but no sign of settlement observed. <11> See also: <12>