Multi-period cropmark complex, North of Maldon (EHER 7801)

Cropmarks of a pit scatter, possible field boundaries, field system, and a rectilinear enclosure which were still visible as a raised platform were recorded from aerial photographs. The linear features were interpreted as the probable remains of a Late Iron Age and Romano-British field system, and the pits were thought to be early medieval sunken featured buildings. Part of the cropmark complex was excavated in 1993, see EHER 17444-17446 and EHER 81912-81917.

Cropmarks. <1> 1993. Desk-based assessment. Cropmarks of a pit scatter and linear features - possibly field boundaries, and field system. All plotted and on aerial photographs. Some of the pits could be sunken featured buildings; the site is close to a Saxon settlement excavated at Crescent Road, Heybridge (EHER 7796). <2> <3> <4> <5> A rectilinear enclosure shows as an earthwork on RAF verticals from 1950 but nothing appears on the 1st edition OS maps of 1874. Parts of the enclosure are still visible as a raised platform of around 0.4m and were plotted during a ground survey by ECC prior to excavation of the fields to the north. <6> <7> <8> Aerial photographs were taken in 1994, these showed the first phase of excavation (completed with developers starting work) and topsoil stripping beginning on the main phase. <9> See aerial photographs <10> - <13>. See cropmark plot <14>. EHER 7801 comprised a series of linear and discrete cropmarks covering approximately 8ha, the majority of which occupied the area of the 1993 site (EEX52931). The linear cropmarks were interpreted as probable Late Iron Age and Romano-British field systems. A large number of pit-like cropmarks were clustered in the south-east corner of this complex; these appeared to be roughly rectangular, to share a common alignment, and to overlie the linear features. All were investigated during the 1993 excavation, within what was called Area W. The cropmarks to the south of the 1993 site are undated, but are considered to be of probable Late Iron Age and Roman date. <15> Note: This cropmark complex was partially excavated and the results are recorded separately in EHER 17444-17446 and EHER 81912-81917. The rectilinear cropmark enclosure which is visible as a raised platform may be the feature described in EHER 8973.