Late Iron Age cremation cemetery and settlement, land west of Mope Lane, Glebe Farm (EHER 8221)

In 1915, a late La Tene cremation (of 1st century BC date) was found during trench digging and the finds were given to Colchester Museum. A year later in 1916, at least four vessels associated with a single cremation were also recorded and may have similarly been recovered during trench digging. Taken together they are considered to be evidence of a cremation cemetery of this date. Later, in 1929-1930, A.H. MacMurdo partly excavated a La Tene type 'C' Iron Age settlement site with the assistance of Mr Balch. The burial settlement site is located on high ground and the burial site is on a high ridge facing south.

Iron Age 'C' settlement excavated in 1929-1930 by Mr A.H. MacMurdo. Although SMR gives NGR as TL 8335 1248, Mr Balch (who assisted Mr MacMurdo) sited the settlement at TL 8336 1267. The settlement site is on high ground, with a commanding view by the river 600m to the west, and is under pasture. There is some indication of disturbance on a raised area at TL 8333 1276, but no coherent pattern can be seen. <1> <2> Pottery is in Colchester Museum. <3> On OS map of Britain in the Iron Age. <4> Iron Age burial group found during trench digging in 1916. Another SMR note on same sheet refers to La Tene cremation of 1st century BC found during trench digging in 1915. The finds were given by H. Cooper to Colchester Museum. <2> <5> <6> <7> NRHE data transfer: TL 8339 1230 Iron Age Burials Found (NAT). TL 8336 1267 Iron Age Settlement (NR) (Site of) (NAT). <8> A late La Tene cremation (of 1st century BC date) was found during trench digging in 1915 at Wickham Bishops. The finds were given by H. Cooper to Colchester Museum (nos. 3481-4.16). <6> <7> <9> November 1949. Field survey. In 1929-1930. A.H Macmurdo partly excavated a La Tene Iron Age "C" settlement site. Mr. Balch (who assisted Macmurdo on his dig) sited the Iron Age Burials to TL 8339 1230 and the Iron Age settlement to TL 8336 1267. He had no knowledge of anything being found at B (TL 8335 1248) and C (TL 8352 1251) referred to by M.R. Hull (<10>). <1> <11> Septemebr 1976. The settlement site 'A', which is under pasture is located on high ground with a commanding view to the river 600.0m to the west. There is some indication of disturbance on a raised area at TL 8333 1271 but no coherent pattern can be seen. The burial site is situated on a high ridge facing south and now lies in private gardens. No more recent information is available on any of the sites. After local investigation and checking records it seems probably that sites 'B' and 'C' are erroneous duplicates. The Tithe Map names the fields containing 'A' Broom Field', 'B' 'Sparkey Field', and the Iron Age burials 'Seven Acres'. <1> <12> <13> TL 833 122. At least four vessels associated with a single cremation, discovered in around 1916. Small cordonned bowl; small high-footed pedestal urn; angular bipartite bowl; hand-made bowl (containing calcined bone). <14>