Probable 10th century 'burh' ditch, Beacon Green, Maldon Hill (EHER 8029)

A substantial ditch was recorded during a watching brief in 1987. Its line corresponds with that postulated for the 10th century burh defence (EHER 7766) and one sherd of possible 10th century pottery was recovered from its fill.

1987. Watching brief and rescue excavation. The site is outside the burh enclosure, relating to an enclosure extending westwards along the ancient All Saints' parish boundary. Eighteenth century writers (Salmon and Strutt) gave contradictory measurements for what they believed to be the Saxon burh (EHER 7766). It is likely that they were describing different earthworks. In 1741, Salmon described a 22 acre earthwork (the one aligned on the parish boundary?), thirty years later Strutt sketched a smaller area corresponding to the field boundaries traced on this site. <1> The site is on a prominent hilltop. A substantial ditch was recorded in the footings for the new 'Elmcroft' house, cut at least 1.3m into the subsoil. Its line corresponds with that postulated for the Saxon burh and a possibly 10th century grass-tempered sherd came from its fill. Finds with Essex County Council, to go to Colchester Museum. <2> <3> <4> <5> See photos. <6> Site Assessment: Despite source <1>, the large ditch is possibly part of the burh, if the pottery evidence is anything to go by. Note: This record should be considered alongside the record for the burh defence, EHER 7766.