Late neolithic to Bronze Age cropmark of a circular enclosure at Helions Bumpstead (EHER 13406)

A small circular enclosure around 30m in diameter with opposing entrance causeways.

A small circular enclosure around 30m in diameter with opposing entrance causeways aligned roughly east-west, with some signs of thickened ditch terminals. There are two large pits outside the western entrance. Circular enclosures are consistently among the earliest in Essex. This particular example can be readily attributed to Priddy and Buckley's type Aiii, defined as circular enclosures 30 by 40m in diameter with opposed causeways. These enclosures are grouped by Priddy and Buckley with small penannular enclosures and small annular enclosures. Outside Essex, such enclosures have been attributed to the late Neolithic/Bronze age, and labelled as 'hengiform'. The Helions Bumpstead enclosure is well outside the known distribution of small circular enclosures which is centred on the Tendring plateau. It is hoped fieldwalking may provide firmer dating evidence. <1> Other ref: <2>