Possibly Medieval to Post-medieval Dene Holes, Hangman's Wood, Little Thurrock (EHER 1681)

Undated (but possibly medieval or post medieval) deneholes in Hangman's Wood, for chalk and flint extraction. Over 70 deneholes are known to have existed in the wood, but only a few holes now survive as a visible earthworks. The holes appear to be concentrated towards the north of the area, most surviving as shallow scrapes, grassed over or full of brambles. The larger holes are surrounded by high security fencing.

Deneholes. <1> The first series of systematic explorations were carried on by Messrs. T. V. Holmes, and W. Cole, assisted by Mr. Miller Christy and Mr. H. A. Cole, continuously during the four weeks from October 13th to November 10th, 1884. <1> Excavations, September to October, 1887 Over 70 in the area, consist of a vertical shaft 50-100ft deep, 3-4ft wide, "ending in excavations in the chalk which in some cases open out into several chambers". Excavations by Essex Field Club found footholds in the sides of shafts and apparent rope marks at the edges. Section and plan of a denehole in this source. <2> <3> <4> Plan, presumably a copy from source <7> is in the SMR. <5> Excavation reports refs. <6> <7> Sheet in SMR lists refs to deneholes, some may refer to Hangman's Wood. <8> Site Assessment In good condition in 1980. <1> Although there are two species of bat in the dene holes, site is likely to be denotified as SSSI. Possible medieval or post medieval shafts for chalk and flint. Thurrock was an important area for chalk and flint extraction in the medieval/post medieval period. Shafts were sunk from the surface and the material was worked either as a bell pit or in some instances underground galleries were also present. These extractions are known as Dene holes. Over 70 such features survive on the site, apparently consisting of vertical shafts between 50-100ft deep and 3-4ft wide, some of which opened into several chambers. Excavations of some revealed footholds in the sides of shafts and apparent rope marks at the edges. The site is formed by a grassed-over area of land, thinly wooded with mature oak trees with several footpaths across it. The holes appear to be concentrated towards the N side of the site: most survive as shallow scrapes, grassed over or full of brambles. The larger holes and those presumably still giving access to deeper excavations are now surrounded by high security fencing. The site has been subjected to several archaeological excavations and surveys from the 1880s onwards. It has been designated a SSSI due to the two bat species living in the dene holes. <9> Additional reference <10> <11> Information from NRHE [Centred: TQ 63107930] DENE HOLES [O.E] <12> 1950 Only one of these dene holes now remains, at TQ 62997906. The others have been filled in. <13> Field Visit, 1953 Of these dene holes, 5 remain. Three are completely opened, and two filled in. <14> Correspondence 1957 The dene holes in Hangman's Wood are now preserved by Thurrock U.D.C. <15> 1965 Dene Hole at TQ 62997906 no longer exists. <16> 1972 Only four Deneholes now remain and these have been fenced off: they are at TQ 63107931, 63087929, 63087928 and 63087925. <17> Documented. <9> Scheduled. For the designation record of this site please see The National Heritage List for England. <18> <19> Investigated by The Essex Field Club and reported in 1887. At that time 51 shafts were known, but all except five were blocked. The club entered 15 shafts and associated chambers. The field club carried out further investigation of the site in the 1950s and early 1960s. The shafts are over 20 metres deep before the chalk is reached. The site is now a biological SSSI because the deneholes are important underground hibernation sites for bats. Underground access is prohibited. <1> Called 'Cunobelin's gold-mines' [Cunobelin was the son of Commius the Atrebatian] in White's directory 1848 <2> Additional reference <21> <22> <23>