Roman occupation site comprising burial, kiln and finds, Sandy Lane, Chadwell St Mary (EHER 1686)

Roman finds including a box burial and a pottery kiln were found around Sandy Lane. Finds were made over an area of some 1000 yards between 1909 and 1957. A hut and pottery dating to the Romano British period were also recorded during clearing up operations.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Many Roman remains have been found over an area of some 1000 yds, around Sandy Lane, Chadwell St Mary. Excavations 1909 In 1909 several urns, enclosed in oak chests (which fell to pieces), were found at Decking gravel pit. Two of the chests had brass mountings, and there were many large nails and Samain fragments. Two mortaria and the handle of a large amphora were found nearby. The urns, brass mountings and a fine pottery lamp with a figure playing ball, are in Colchester Museum (CM 4272 and 4249-55 22). Other fragments of a coffer burial group, comprising iron nails, wood fragments, and brass ornaments and mountings, probably from this same site are in Thurrock Museum (TM 174). <1> - <13> Excavations, 1922 RCHM reports finding of an 'oven' in Cristian and Neilson's gravel-pit in 1922. It contained complete and fragmentary vessels and a decorated clay lamp. Pottery in Colchester Museum, mostly 3rd-4th century, probably, and some 'retain traces of late Celtic traditions'. No evidence that pottery made on site, purpose of oven not apparent. Roman coins of all dates found in the parish and a site around 100yds SE of the area yielded much Samian, mainly late 1st to early 2nd century with many stamps. No traces of buildings noticed. Photo of 'oven' in this source. <1> In 1922 a kiln containing fragmentary urns was also found. It was circular and domed, about 3'9" in diameter, with a flue some 2 feet wide and 12 feet long <2>. It was destroyed later, the Rev E.C. Smith had a photo. Pottery stated by RCHM to be in Colchester Museum but this was not tracible in 1963. (This is likely the 'oven referred to in <1> however the purpose has been determined in <2>) Also in 1922 fragmentary urns, including seven pieces of red Salopian ware and three of Samian were found in Purleby's gravel pit. <2> <15> Excavations 1956-1959 Chancellor's gravel pit, now owned by Bison Floors Ltd, excavated 1956-1957 by Thurrock Historical Society. They found a coin hoard of one hundred Roman coins, all silver denarii. These include one of Antony, one of Nero, then a range from Vespasian to Caracalla. Pottery from this area, tile and quern fragments, the coins, are in Thurrock Museum. On 19th July, 1956, Roman coins were found in ballast, delivered to the Shell Oil Refinery, Corringham, and assumed to be from this same pit. <2> <13> <14> <18> In 1959 Manning excavated for the Ministry of Works in gravel-workings on the top of a hill (TQ 649783). He found ditches, mostly V-shaped, post holes, pottery-mainly late 1st to early 2nd century, some iron age pottery (see EHER 1685). Site is thought to be the edge of an extensive settlement, the rest of which has already been destroyed by gravel-digging. <2>-<9> Other references <14> <16> <17> Hut seen; much pottery recovered during clearing up operations - all periods of Romano-British. Recorded at TQ 65007833. <18> Romano-British scatter in these fields. <18> A visit was made to the disused gravel pit now owned by Messrs Bison Floors Ltd, in Sandy Lane, Chadwell St. Mary, where a ditch section was clearly visible in the face of the pit. Investigation of the field at the face produced a few fragments of pottery of the first century AD. <6> Following the discovery of a Roman coin hoard circumstances did not permit continued work on the site, but a daily watch was kept by Dr A E Ward who collected a considerable amount of pottery, none of which is associated with any particular layer or other feature. <14> Additional reference <19>