Late Bronze Age circular enclosure, 'Mucking South Rings', and associated settlement, Mucking (EHER 13841)

The Late Bronze Age period at Mucking is dominated by the South Rings enclosure of the 'Springfield Type', which was excavated during the salvage excavations in 1965-1978. The enclosure comprised two concentric ditches, which enclosed an area of 0.44ha, with two opposed entrances. The material from these ditches was used to form a box-revetted bank structure, probably topped by a palisade. The principal internal structure was evidenced by a circular gully and other internal structures could be discerned from post hole evidnece. The enclosure may have had secular and sacred functions, as is suggested by the deposition of human cranial fragments and quern stones in the primary fills of the entrance ditches.

1965-1978. Salvage excavations. The Late Bronze Age period is dominated by the South Rings enclosure. Originally termed 'mini-hillfort', this type of enclosure has more recently become known as the 'Springfield Type', based on the contemporary Springfield Lyons site (EHER 5788). The enclosure comprised two concentric ditches which measured 4m wide by 1.5m deep and some 75m in maximum external dimensions, enclosing an area of 0.44ha. The material from these ditches was used to form a box-revetted bank structure, probably topped by a palisade. The enclosure had two opposed entrances; the main, east entrance had complex entrance buildings with side chambers and gate structures. A circular gully, 12m in diameter, comprised the principal internal structure. Other internal structures comprised four- and six-post settings; pits and postholes. Artefacts include fired-clay loomweights, fire bars, briquetage, small assemblages of flint and bone; the latter suggesting a partly pastoral economy. Also found were metalworking debris, bronze artefacts and crucible mould fragments. Deposition of human cranial fragments and quern stones in the primary fills of the main entrance terminals suggests that the site may have served a multiplicity of functions, both secular and sacred. Other structures in the Late Bronze Age landscape include a cluster of three post-built round houses to the north-east and further pit and posthole concentrations. By the Late Iron Age period the enclosure ditches were infilled and were overlain by four round house structures (see EHER 13842 for more information on the Iron Age settlement). <1> See NMP cropmark plot <2>. Site Assessment: Site destroyed by gravel quarrying. See <3> which has a chapter on the Late Bronze Age at Mucking. See also <4> - <9> which may contain further information. NRHE summary description: A circular enclosure at Mucking, known as the South Rings to distinguish it from a similar, broadly contemporary site to the north (TQ 68 SE 44). The site was originally identified as a cropmark in 1959, and thought to be a henge. Excavations at the Mucking complex (see TQ 68 SE 16) began in 1965, and showed the site to be of Late Bronze Age date. It comprises two concentric ditches, circa 83 and 43 metres in diameter respectively. Each appeas to have been accompanied by an internal bank, possibly featuring timber revetment and palisade. Both ditches feature two opposed entrances, the larger facing southeast and apparently associated with complex entrance structures. Much of the contemporary artefactual material appears to have come from the central area. The only structure definitely associated with the enclosure was a circular gulley or ditch circa 12 metres in diameter and located just off-centre within the inner enclosure. The manner and circumstances of excavation have hindered the identification of other contemporary structures among the recorded features, although a number of four and six-post structures appear to have been present. Finds include a large assemblage of Late Bronze Age pottery, clay loomweights, briquetage, perforated clay slabs, a small assemblage of flint and some scraps of animal bone (the acidic soils were not conducive to bone survival), plus a bronze pin, some copper ingot fragments, and crucible and mould fragments. Human cranial fragments and quernstones were found in the primary fills of the main entrance terminals. Radiocarbon dates from the main ditches place the enclosure in the late 2nd to early 1st millennia BC. It clearly postdates parts of a field system, but appears to be broadly contemporary with the North Rings enclosure. This site was originally recorded as part of TQ 68 SE 16. That record should be consulted for additional sources and information. <1> <10> - <13>