Possible prehistoric pile dwelling, North of 'The Warren House' (EHER 7754)

Miller Christy described observing a very black earth deposit within an earthen bank at this location. It contained a large number of tightly compacted flints, and Miller interpreted it as the remains of a prehistoric pile dwelling which had been destroyed by a fire and was deposited in the centre of an artificial pool of water. The water feature which Christy described is probably 17th/18th century landscaping and the site has been further landscaped since Christy's observations in 1903. The dam and pond described could not be identified during field visits in 1976 and 1987.

A possible pile dwelling south of Woodham Walter Common (area TL 80130670). Remains of a dam about here and pot boilers, etc., are found in the centre of former pond. Another dam but larger lies 100 yards to the west. <1> <2> <3> <4> Christy described observing 'a remarkable horizontal stratum of very black earth' within an earthen bank, which measured 'twelve to fifteen inches thick, and may be traced horizontally for seven or eight feet.' It contained a very large number of tightly compacted small flints. Above it was sealed by modern alluvium, and it was described as resting on 'yellowish sandy clay, which clearly once formed the bottom of the valley and is quite undisturbed.' The explanation Christy offers for the presence of a burnt deposit in an area which he identified as 'the centre of the bed of an artificial pool' of water, is that it must be the remains of a prehistoric 'pile-dwelling which, through some misfortune, was destroyed by fire, and that, as it burned, the flints and other stones which formed the floor fell to the bottom of the pool, together with the ashes and other remains of the dwelling.' <2> October 1976. Field visit. The site lies in a river valley which was landscaped in the 17/18th century, according to the owner of the golf club (formerly Warren Farm, 17th century, at TL 800065). The dam and former pond seen by Christy could not be identified but were probably of this period. The soil is of sand and gravel with flints abounding, but no evidence of worked flints seen. <5> <6> June 1987. Field visit. This site could not be located and no further information is available. <7> Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Note: This record was previously mapped at TL 8000 0599, a generic location, but has been remapped to the current location using the NRHE data, which accords with the landscape as described by Christy in <2>.