Probable Roman funerary barrow with possible Anglo Saxon secondary burial, 'Plumberow Mount', Hockley (EHER 13580)

Plumberow Mount thought to be a Roman funerary barrow, is circular, 14ft high and about 76ft in diameter. The top is flattened representing the former position of a summerhouse. Excavation in 1913 did not encounter any inhumation but recorded a Roman coin and pottery, alongside some Saxon pottery which was interpreted as possibly representing a secondary burial. Although the 1913 excavations failed to find evidence for the principal burial, it was demonstrated that the mound was created no earlier than the first century AD. The interpretation of the mound as a Roman barrow, although unproven, remains the most probable explanation. The greater part of the mound remains undisturbed and it is possible that the burial, if placed away from the centre of the mound (as in a larger Roman barrow on Mersea Island, 27km to the north east), may remain intact.

1913. Archaeological excavation. Plumberow Mount thought to be a barrow, is circular, 14ft high and about 76ft in diameter. Excavation by Mr E.B Francis in 1913 (of the Morant Club), though inconclusive, produced a coin of Domitian, much Roman and some Saxon pottery which were thought to represent a secondary inhumation. Because of the presence of a summer house on the summit of the mound, three trenches were cut from the north, east and south sides and part of the centre was explored. However, no evidence of a burial was found. A coin of Domitian, a shale or jet bead, and 40 sherds of pots were found. The latter included Samian, colour-coated, amphora, mortaria sherds and a few Saxon sherds. The excavation report discusses earlier references to the mound which indicates that it had been reduced in size from an unknown original size. The function remains unknown although the excavation report suggests that a beacon is a possible alternative to a burial. A large post hole was found west of the centre (although post holes were found at Mersea which did produce an inhumation). <1> <2> <3> Hull thought the mound was clearly post-Roman. <4> Mound is 76' in diameter, 14ft high. <5> See aerial photographs <6> <7>. 1976. Field visit. Considerable erosion and a trench had been dug on the east side. <8> October 1997. Scheduled Ancient Monument. Plumberow Mount stands on the summit of a natural knoll to the north of the town of Hockley, a position commanding extensive views to the south across the Thames estuary, and to the north and east over the valleys of the rivers Crouch and Roach. The mound stands to a height of about 4m and is slightly oval in plan, measuring approximately 23m from east to west by 18m transversely. A flattened area on the summit reflects the former position of a summer house. Exploratory excavations took place in 1913. In the absence of evidence for an encircling ditch, the mound is thought to have been either constructed from earth and sub-soil deposits quarried elsewhere, or from material gathered from the surface of the surrounding hillside. Despite past disturbance Plumberow Mount survives well and remains a conspicuous feature in the landscape. Although the 1913 excavations failed to find evidence for the principal burial, it was demonstrated that the mound was created no earlier than the first century AD. The interpretation of the mound as a Roman barrow, although unproven, remains the most probable explanation. The greater part of the mound remains undisturbed and it is possible that the burial, if placed away from the centre of the mound (as in a larger Roman barrow on Mersea Island, 27km to the north east), may remain intact. The discovery of later pottery fragments within the mound is also highly significant. Excavations of comparable monuments have demonstrated that pre-existing monuments were attractive locations for subsequent burials, especially in the pagan Anglo-Saxon period. Evidence of such activity at Plumberow Mount would prove highly valuable for the study of post Roman occupation in the area. <9> December 1997. Field survey. A contour survey of the Mount was undertaken by Essex County Council's Field Archaeology group for ECCs Countryside Section. The mound had suffered considerable erosion in recent years. A deep rut has been worn down the western side of the mound and a number of pathways, to the top of the mound, have worn down through the grass and as such are beginning to erode. Heavy vegetation is present on the north and west sides. <10> March 2004. Geophysical survey. A geophysical survey was carried out in 2004 which identified a small number of features, most of which appeared to be modern in origin. <11> Site Assessment: Report in 1976 of considerable erosion and that a trench had been dug on the east side. <8> Bad erosion and heavy vegetation cover reported April 1980. <10> NRHE data transfer: Plumberow Mount (NAT). <12> See also <13> <14>. Listed by Cathcart King as a barrow converted to a motte. <15> NRHE summary description: Probable burial mound of uncertain date. Excavation in 1913 revealed a Roman coin and pottery, some Saxon pottery possibly representing a secondary burial. The mound is 4m high, and oval in plan with diameters of 23m by 18m. The top is flattened representing the former position of a summerhouse.