Possibly Roman burial mound, South of South Ockendon Hall (EHER 1867)

Mound around 200 yards (182m) south of the moat, around 130ft (40m) in diameter at the base and 10ft (3m) high. Excavated in 1954 by the then MOW when the whole of the north side was destroyed (agent of destruction unrecorded). Described as a "probable burial mound". Pottery from the site, of the 1st, 2nd and 4th centuries, is in Thurrock Museum. Other finds include fragments of rotary querns, (including one of lava- perhaps one of Niedermendig lava), an iron nail and a bronze buckle.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Classified as barrow <1> The northern part has been removed. In bad condition. <2> Site visit May 1953 No suggestions can be offered as to date or purpose of this large mound. <3> Mound around 200 yards (182m) south of the moat, around 130ft (40m) in diameter at the base and 10ft (3m) high. <4> <5> Excavation, 1954 Excavated in 1954 by the then MOW when the whole of the north side was destroyed (agent of destruction unrecorded). Described as a "probable burial mound". Pottery from the site, of the 1st, 2nd and 4th centuries, is in Thurrock Museum. <6> It is a supposed Romano British burial mound. No burial recorded from the centre which had already been trenched in Victorian times. As shown on the OS 6" for 1865-1866, already damaged. Two Victorian pennies were found in the 1954 excavation (see EHER 1868). The ditch was not excavated because of the high water table. Pits were found under the south east part of the mound, they contained bones and pottery. No fuller published report, though plans, sections, pottery and a report were placed at Colchester Museum. <7> In writing of the mound to the north of South Ockendon Hall (see EHER 5135) Barton says that the mound to the south of the Hall dated to the late 2nd century. Roman pottery found, included grey and 'fumed' wares, mortaria sherds, top of an amphora (globular), fragment of a Castor-ware lid. All this was found in the mound make-up and below it. The latest pottery date is 3rd century. Most of the pottery was Roman but there was also an Iron Age 'A' rim (EHER 1866). Other finds include fragments of rotary querns, (including one of lava- perhaps one of Niedermendig lava), an iron nail and a bronze buckle. <8>-<12> <15> 39.63m in diameter, 3.04m high. Destroyed. <13> Roman barrow. <14> Tracing from the OS 2nd Ed in SMR. <16> Shows on Aps as a cropmark, double-ditched. <17> Site visit, 1999 Site visited September 1999 as part of the MPP programme. Not considered worthy of scheduling as the former mound has been completely excavated and is archaeologically sterile. The ditch is the only element of the monument to survive. It appears as a fairly wide complete circular ditch with another partly concentric ditch around it; other internal cropmarks are visible. The ditch has not been excavated so there may be some potential for the recovery of environmental and artefactual evidence from its fill. <18> Site Assessment = Accession numbers for Colchester finds? Additional reference <19> Aerial photographs <20> - <22>