Early Iron Age pots at Broom Wood (EHER 7668)

Four Iron Age pots thought to be votive have been deposited with Chelmsford Museum.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Four Iron Age pots were found in 1977 by a tractor-driver excavating a cattle watering hole at a spring head. There was no evidence to suggest that they came from a pit or occupation level. All were in dark grey brown-black fabric with buff or buff-orange areas. All were flint-gritted with quartz and sand mixed. It is thought that they were complete before discovery. The pots can be paralleled at Rivenhall. A 4th century BC date seems most likely. Analysis of the contents of the pots suggests that they held a starch-containing material originally, most likely cereal in water, and that they were only used once. It is suggest that the finds indicate votive offerings at the spring head. <1> suggests possible parallels in Britain and north-west Europe. The finds are in Chelmsford Museum. <1> illustrates the finds and has a location map also. <1> <2> Detailed scientific analysis of the contents of the pot. <3> Also illustrations. <4> See also: <5>