Probable site of Roman villa east of Moat House, Colliers Hatch (EHER 14834)

A concentration of Roman finds in this area including brick, tile and metal objects is thought to indicate the location of a Roman building. The types of finds suggest this was the location of a high status Roman building such as a villa. These finds are concentrated on a platform overlooking the river in an area of darker soil, rich in organic remains and charcoal.

Roman pottery and tile visible in topsoil, which looks very black. Indicates the presence of some kind of Roman site, possibly settlement or burial site? <1>. Finds from an area west of the parish boundary included 108 coins, 9 brooches and a number of copper alloy objects. The coins ranged in date from the late 1st century AD to the late 4th century, most being Constantinian (c.307-364 AD). Earlier coins include a few possible Flavian coins and radiates of 260-300 AD. The brooches are predominantly 1st century and consist of a Nauheim derivative, the head of a Langton Down brooch, a Dolphin brooch, a Colchester brooch, a brooch-head of Hawkes and Hill type XIII, a penannular brooch of Fowlers type E, the head of a P-shaped brooch and part of a thin plate brooch. The copper alloy objects included a swan's head mount of probable Roman date, a ring-key of probable 3rd or 4th century date. <2> <3> <4>. Photos of finds <5>. Early 1995. Site visit. Dark soil spread extends both sides of the parish boundary on a platform overlooking the stream to the east. Soil appears rich in organic remains and charcoal, and contains a concentration of Roman building material including tegulae, imbrex and brick fragments and pottery sherds, indicating a possible villa site. <6> Two gold torcs found. <7>