Post-medieval finds from the Ashdon to Hadstock water pipeline (EHER 13397)

A watching brief was undertaken on a 4.8km long water pipeline from Hadstock to Linton.

A watching brief was undertaken on a 4.8km long water pipeline from Hadstock to Linton. This report is on the Essex section only - 4.1km from Hadstock to Ashdon. Although no known Essex sites were cut by the projected line, three lay adjacent to it, a field containing a circular cropmark, presumably prehistoric and two brick scatters of unknown date. Only 650m at the north end of the line was ploughed therefore only limited fieldwalking was possible. However, the whole length of pipe was observed after stripping the top soil, and certain sections were observed during digging of the pipe trench. The only features observed were areas of infill from the now disused railway line and two modern trenches. Finds were scarce, consisting of post-medieval glazed pottery and glass. This excludes post-medieval brick and tile fragments. The lack of finds may suggest that the land was wooded or was predominately pasture other than arable land. <1> <2>