Roman enclosure and pottery kilns at Orsett 'Cock' (EHER 1859)

In the Roman period, the enclosure ditches of the Late Iron Age multivallate enclosure (EHER 1858) were recut, although the defensive element of the site ceased. In the later part of the 1st century AD, some Late Iron Age features, such as the two buildings, may have continued in use. By the later 2nd century AD, the enclosure was again recut and subdivided, and access was via a causeway in the north-east corner. The late 3rd-early 4th century AD saw the last major phase of the enclosure ditch, it was recut at least once, and it was at this time that four pottery kilns were in use. The kilns are similar to those at Mucking (EHER 13843) and may have even been used by the same potters. Some 4th century features from the site may be Anglo-Saxon.

Site of enclosure, first recognised in 1946 as a cropmark. Trial trenched in 1956-1957. Watching briefs carried out 1960-1961, 1968-1970. Enclosure had been thought of as an early Roman camp or fort (but see EHER 1858 for reinterpretation as a Late Iron Age farmstead). A later (Roman) phase of the enclosure was interpreted as being non-defensive in character, with an east-west subdividing ditch. Features within were suggested as being associated but not dug. Domestic refuse capped the enclosure ditch which had been recut at least twice. The site was suggested to be one of a series of farmstead units among the regular pattern of Romano-British fields on the fertile gravel ridge. One mid and one late kiln groups were recognised during these observations. Similarities were cited with the Mucking kilns (EHER 13843), even a suggestion that the same potters were at work. Kiln furniture was also found. <1> - <6> 1976-1979. Archaeological excavation. The site was excavated 1976-1979 and shown to be wholly prehistoric at its maximum extent, as a multivallate defended enclosure. In the late 1st century the outer ditch of this was recut. All the earlier ditches were silted by now. Minor features were dug into the inner rampart. The two Iron Age buildings possibly remained in use. A ditch near one of the buildings may be the earliest subdividing ditch. Buildings from this period on may have been unrecognisable owing to ploughing. Two rectangular buildings may be mid-Roman. In the later 2nd century the enclosure ditch was redug and the enclosure itself subdivided by ditches. Access was via a causeway in the north-east corner. The earliest of four pottery kilns may have begun to produce coarse wares. The late 3rd-early 4th century saw the last major phase of the enclosure ditch, it was recut at least once. The upper silts produced Saxon pottery but it was not a functional feature in the Saxon period. The pottery kilns were in use until at least the early 4th century. An early 3rd century ditch was dug across the northern enclosure. In this period, three other kilns (at least) were in use around the edge of the enclosure. Industry was attested to by hearths and furnaces. The two Iron Age working areas (see EHER 1858) went out of use in the 4th century. Two possible rectangular buildings are early 4th century or later. One is defined by post holes (it could be Saxon, see EHER 1860), the other by two gullies that could be drainage channels flanking a building. A short length of ditch was also late Roman, producing tile and 3rd century pottery. It was truncated by a gravel pit. <7> - <9> See also <10>. Finds from 1956-1957 excavations and 1968 gas pipelines in Thurrock Museum. <11> <12> Finds from 1960 sewer trench in Colchester Museum. <13> Aerial photographs. <14> - <27> Plot of cropmarks in SMR. <28> Other refs: <28> - <35> See also <36> and <37> for more on the 1976-1979 excavations. Site Management: Descheduled 1988 after site destroyed by roadworks. <29> Site Assessment: Accession numbers for some finds? 1983. Watching brief and archaeological excavations. A small area was stripped to reveal the south-east corner of the Orsett 'Cock' enclosure. The area was cleaned and planned but not excavated. The features uncovered included the corner of the outer ditch, the edges of which were rather indistinct and appeared to be cut by later Roman features. The area produced pottery generally of 1st to 2nd century date, with some sherds of 4th century ware. See EHER 5222 for the Roman field system also interpreted from this excavation. <38> Note: The mapped polygon depicts the location of the monument and does not necessarily reflect its extent.