Roman hut circles and pottery, East Tilbury Foreshore (EHER 1694)

Near the west boundary of the parish at East Tilbury, below 'present' high tide level, were the remains of four settlement of hut circles. It is associated with much 1stto 2nd century pottery.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Near the west boundary of the parish at East Tilbury below 'present' high tide level, remains of settlement of hut circles, associated with many potsherds of the 1st and 2nd centuries. In 1920 three adjacent huts were visible at low tide and fragmentary remains of a 4th nearby were visible 20yds further west. The internal diameter of the smallest of the three was about 11 1/2ft, that of the others about 20ft. The two largest circles had three rings of stakes forming a frame for wattle work which was still preserved below the mud. Between the two inmost stake rings were the remains of a stone ring, a similar ring seemed to have been outside the outer stake ring. One hut had traces of a partition, another had a small circular platform in the middle, probably a support for a central pole. The latter hut had a piece of floor-planking, close by this were foundations for an oven with hard clay walls, no indication of its function however. The smallest circle appeared to have an entrance marked by two thick posts. In and around the huts were fragments of clay daub for covering walls. The stone rings can't have gone up to a great height. Many roofing tile fragments may indicate roofing. Immediately east of the huts, a shallow channel ran north east-south west with traces of flanking stakes. This may have been a former trackway from the old river edge. The foreshore for around 100yds either side of the huts was covered with pottery, including 1st-2nd century Samian of forms 15-17, 18, 18-31, 27, 30, 31, 37, 38, 54 (plain), 78, 79. Stamps-list in this source. Most pottery was "of native type, with marked late Celtic elements" such as cordons, bosses, incised linear patterns-"and represents the production of native manufacturers working under Roman influence". No wasters were noticed, there was no evidence that pottery was made on the site. The site "may have been a landing-place for traffic from Kent or elsewhere", the amount of pottery "seems excessive for the ordinary requirements of a small hut settlement". The amount seems excessive for a small community. <1> <2> <3> <1> has plan and photos of the oven. Hazzledine Warren had pottery from this or a nearby site, chiefly mid 1st century in date, "sub- Belgic in character". Remains in Kent suggest a Roman ferry at this point. <3> Other ref: <5> in <4>. Finds may be in Thurrock Museum. <6> <7> Site Assessment: South part of two huts scarped away by tide action. <1> Accession number of finds in Thurrock Museum. Additional reference <8> <9> <10> <11>