FIELDS EAST OF ST BOTOLPH'S CHURCH
HADSTOCK
ESSEX
ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
FEBRUARY 2006
Field Archaeology Unit
FIELDS EAST OF ST BOTOLPH'S CHURCH
HADSTOCK
ESSEX
ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
Prepared By: Trevor Ennis
Position: Project Officer
Signature:
Date:
Approved By: Mark Atkinson
Position: Unit Manager
Signature:
Date:
Document Ref.:
1427 Rep.doc
Report Issue Date:
February 2006
Circulation:
The Hadstock Society
Richard Havis, ECC HEM
Essex Historic Environment Record
As part of our desire to provide a quality service, we would welcome any comments you may have on the content or the presentation of this report.
Please contact the Archaeological Fieldwork Manager, at the
Field Archaeology Unit,
Fairfield Court, Fairfield Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 3YQ.
fieldarch@essexcc.gov.uk
Tel: 01376 331470
Fax: 01376 331428
(c) Field Archaeology Unit, Essex County Council, c/o County Hall, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1LF
CONTENTS
SUMMARY
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 BACKGROUND
2.1 Topography and Geology
2.2 Archaeological and Historical Background
3.0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
4.0 METHOD
5.0 FIELDWORK RESULTS
5.1 Trench 1
5.2 Trench 2
5.3 Trench 3
5.4 Trench 4
5.5 Trench 5
5.6 Trench 6
5.7 Trench 7
6.0 FINDS
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Roman pottery
6.3 Post-Roman pottery
6.4 Other finds
6.5 Comments on the assemblage
7.0 DISCUSSION
7.1 Roman
Me 7.2 Medieval
Po 7.3 Post-medieval
8.0 CONCLUSION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1 Context Data
APPENDIX 2 Finds Data
APPENDIX 3 Pottery Data
APPENDIX 4 Contents of Archive
APPENDIX 5 EHER Summary
FIGURES
Fig. 1 Site location
Fig. 2 Trenches 1 and 2
Fig. 3 Trench 4
Fig. 4 Trench 5
Fig. 5 Trench 6
Fig. 6 Trench 7
Fig. 7 Sections
Fig. 8 The arable field with gradiometry survey data
Fig. 9 The pasture field with resistivity survey data
PLATES
Plate 1 Trench 2, surface 19
Plate 2 Trench 2, bank 56
Plate 3 Trench 4, pit 39
Plate 4 Trench 6, ditches 27 and 43
Front cover: Excavation in progress
FIELDS EAST OF ST BOTOLPH'S CHURCH
HADSTOCK, ESSEX
ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
Client: The Hadstock Society
NGR: TL 55952 44740
Site Code: HDAC05
Dates of Fieldwork: 3rd to 29th October 2005
SUMMARY
An archaeological investigation was carried out in the fields to the east of St Botolph's Church, Hadstock, during October 2005. Five trenches were excavated across earthworks in the pasture field to the immediate east of the churchyard and two trenches were investigated in the large arable field to the south east. Trenches were located to further investigate the results of a geophysical survey carried out by GSB Prospection that demonstrated the presence of a range of likely archaeological features.
Four small boundary ditches were excavated in the large arable field. These formed part of a Roman field system dating from the late 1st to early 3rd centuries AD. Of these, two parallel ditches formed the sides of a possible track-way. Large and comparatively little-abraded sherds of pottery recovered from a third ditch may indicate the presence of a near-by mid Roman occupation site.
One residual sherd of Middle Saxon pottery was recovered from the excavation, indicating a probable Saxon presence in the landscape. However, no firm evidence for the existence of St Botolph's monastery was found. Two large 13th to 14th century quarry pits were identified in the south-east of the pasture field and medieval layers of similar date were excavated from beneath an undated flint surface in the centre of the field.
Two large post-medieval quarry pits were identified in the south of the pasture field, one clearly equated with a large earthwork hollow that is depicted as a feature on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map. The quarry pits were most likely a source of clay and chalk for use in house building and repair work within the village.
Other post-medieval deposits were identified in the centre of the field, along with a ditch containing 19th to 20th century pottery. A bank in excess of 3m wide, composed of sand with chalk and flint, was partly exposed in the centre of the field. This corresponded with part of a large semi-circular anomaly identified by the resistivity survey. The bank was sealed by deposits containing post-medieval material, although no dating evidence was recovered from the bank itself. The function of the bank is unclear from the limited investigation. It is unlikely to be an in situ deposit of natural sand and may be a stockpile of constructional material associated with building works for the church or village.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This report describes the results of archaeological investigation carried out in the fields to the east of St Botolph's Church. The fieldwork was undertaken by members of the Hadstock Society and local villagers under the supervision of staff of the Essex County Council Field Archaeology Unit (ECC FAU). The project was organised under the Local Heritage Initiative scheme administered by the Countryside Agency and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in association with the Nationwide Building Society. The site archive will be deposited in Saffron Walden Museum. A .pdf version of this report will be submitted to the Online Access to the Index of Archaeological Investigations (OASIS).
2.0 BACKGROUND (Fig. 1)
2.1 Topography and Geology
The investigation area was located on rising ground on the south-east edge of the village of Hadstock in north Essex. The main area was a rough pasture field located to the east of St Botolph's Church and the village hall. This field sloped downhill from the south-west to north-east (approx. 81m to 73m above OD) and contained numerous undulations representing apparent earthworks of unknown date. Investigation also took place in the western part of the larger arable field to the south east of the church. This field also sloped down from south-west to north-east and consisted of short corn stubble at the time of the excavation.
The underlying drift geology consisted of chalky boulder clay with flints. The pieces of chalk within the clay were small near the surface but became larger and more frequent with depth.
2.2 Archaeological and Historical Background
The following archaeological background uses the Historic Environment Record (HER) held at Essex County Council, County Hall, Chelmsford.
Documentary and cartographic evidence has shown that Hadstock village has shrunk since the early medieval period. Earthworks typical of a deserted medieval village, standing to a height of 0.6m, and associated hollow ways, have been noted to the east and south-east of the church. Further earthworks to the east have been damaged and levelled in some areas through ploughing. The proximity of these remains to the church may suggest that they mark the extents of the early medieval settlement (EHER 4851).
The present church dates back to at least the 11th century. Excavations in 1974 (Rodwell 1976) revealed the existence of several earlier phases of church structure on the site. Finds from a buried soil beneath the church included animal bones, oyster shells, a sherd of Saxon pottery and a group of stones (possibly a hearth) that included part of a Rhenish lava quern and a stone cresset lamp (EHER 4809).
Hadstock is a possible site for the monastery founded at Icanho by St Botolph in AD 654 and recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (Swanton 2000). According to the Jervaulx Chronicle (in Leland Collectanea iii) this monastery was destroyed by the Danes in 869. It is also a possible site for the Minster Church built by King Cnut to commemorate those who perished in the Battle of Assandun in 1016 (Swanton 2000), which may have taken place at near-by Ashdon. The full case for the Anglo-Saxon origins of Hadstock church is set out in a paper (unpublished) by P. Croxton-Smith entitled 'St Botolph, Assandun and Hadstock'.
A geophysical survey of the area to the south-east of the church, carried out by GSB Prospection in 2005, demonstrated the presence of a range of likely archaeological features in the pasture and arable fields.
3.0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The archaeological investigation was undertaken to determine the location, extent, date, character, condition, significance and quality of apparent surviving archaeological remains visible as earthworks in the fields to the east of St Botolph's Church.
The specific objectives were to:
* Investigate the earthworks in the grass meadow to the immediate east of St Botolph's Church
* Investigate linear features identified by geophysical survey in the arable field to the east of the meadow
Determine the level of survival of archaeological deposits and to assess the wider archaeological potential and significance of the site *
4.0 METHOD (Fig. 1)
Seven archaeological trenches were located to further investigate the results of the geophysical survey and some of the more obvious upstanding earthworks in the pasture field. The trenches were opened under archaeological supervision, using a wheeled excavator fitted with a toothless ditching bucket. The exposed deposits were hand-cleaned and all archaeological remains were investigated by local volunteers under the guidance and supervision of professional staff from ECC FAU. Enough of the deposits and features was excavated to characterise and understand their date and nature without necessitating their wholesale removal or destruction.
Prior to backfilling, a large post-medieval feature in Trench 5 was further investigated by machine and modern deposits were mechanically removed from the south-end of Trench 2.
All work was carried out in accordance with IFA (Institute of Field Archaeologists) by-laws and guidelines. Standard ECC FAU excavation and recording methodologies were employed. Most archaeological features within the area of excavation were 50% or more excavated. A large quantity of finds were collected and processed by Hadstock volunteers. Finds identification/analysis and stratigraphic interpretation was undertaken by ECC FAU.
5.0 FIELDWORK RESULTS (Figs 1-7)
The topsoil in the pasture field consisted of dark grey-brown clay-silt. This was generally about 0.3m deep, apart from above the flint surface in Trench 2 and above the pit at the south-west end of Trench 4 where it was little more than 0.10m deep. The plough soil in the arable field was very dark grey, organic enriched, clay silt approximately 0.3m - 0.35m deep. In places, the archaeological features in the arable field were sealed by a 0.10m - 0.15m depth of brown clay subsoil clearly visible below the limit of plough disturbance.
A range of archaeological deposits and features were revealed in the investigation trenches dating to the Roman, medieval and post-medieval periods. These are described below, in trench order, with further context information presented in Appendix 1. Many of the archaeological features correlated with the positions of anomalies (possible features) identified from the geophysical survey results and consequently this report should be read in conjunction with the geophysical survey report prepared by GSB Prospection.
5.1 Trench 1 (Fig. 2)
Trench 1 was 1.6m wide and 11m in length and was orientated close to east-west. It was positioned to investigate a north-south anomaly visible on the resistivity survey data plot (Fig. 9).
In the centre of Trench 1 was a north-south aligned linear hollow (29). This contained a deposit of mid grey silty clay with chalk and flints (16) above yellow brown silty clay (30). It is possible that deposit 16 represented a poorly-defined track, within which two vague depressions (31 and 32) might mark the position of parallel wheel ruts. Fragments of modern brick and tile recovered from this feature suggest that it is of comparatively recent date.
At the east-end of the trench was a modern ditch (33) containing 19th to 20th century pottery. The line of this ditch was just traceable on the field surface heading in a north-easterly direction towards its edge and may have been responsible for the straight western edge to the area of high resistance investigated by Trench 3 (Fig. 9).
Feature 29 appeared to cut a grey clay-silt subsoil layer (37) in the west of the trench that contained post-medieval brick and tile. A similar deposit (36) in the east of the trench was cut both by feature 29 and ditch 33.
5.2 Trench 2 (Fig. 2)
Trench 2 was 1.6m wide and 20.5m long and was aligned north-east/south-west. It was positioned to investigate a semi-circular anomaly visible on the resistivity survey data plot (Fig. 9).
Two deposits were identified at the base of the archaeological sequence in Trench 2. In the north of the trench, lying upon natural chalky clay at the base of a slope, was a linear band of flint and chalk cobbles (52) aligned north-west/south-east. In the centre of the trench was a deposit of grey clay silt, perhaps the fill of a feature, containing large chalk nodules (53). As neither deposit was excavated no dating evidence was recovered but both deposits were sealed by medieval layers. These layers comprised thick mid-dark grey clay silt (48, 49 and 50) (Fig. 7 - Section 1) containing medieval pottery dating to the 13th-14th century. Above these was a metalled surface (19) constructed mainly from flints, which varied in size from c.50-150mm, with chalk lumps and occasional pieces of unworked stone (Plate 1). The surface was located on a slightly raised area in the middle of the field which dipped away to the north and east. A small trench was hand-excavated, linking Trenches 1 and 2, in order to trace the northward extent of the flint surface. The flint cobbles continued for a further 4.2m and were best-preserved at their highest point near to Trench 2, but became less dense as they sloped downhill until petering out close to modern ditch 33. The sloping nature of this surface makes its function unclear. It would appear unlikely to be the base of a structure or to be a hard-standing associated with agricultural activity. It could possibly be a collapsed un-bonded flint wall or simply a levelled and compacted spread of debris. No clear dating evidence was recovered from the surface itself. The flints were located directly below the shallow topsoil which contained a variety of modern finds (contexts 1 and 3). Similar modern material was recovered from two soil deposits (15 and 17) in Trench 2 which had accumulated on the slope to the north of the flint cobbles.
A bank of orange silty sand with chalk and flint (56), in excess of 3m wide, was partly exposed at the south-west end of the trench. The bank was over 0.4m high and continued beyond the excavated area (Fig. 7 - Section 2) (Plate 2). It appeared to correspond with part of the large semi-circular feature, in excess of 10m diameter, identified by the resistivity survey (Fig. 9). No dating evidence was recovered from the bank itself but a small amount of post-medieval brick was recovered from the greyish brown clay and silt deposits (54 equals 58, 59 and 61) above. Overlying deposits 59 and 60, and bank 56 itself, were truncated by a modern, north-south aligned, field drain.
5.3 Trench 3 (Fig. 1)
Trench 3 was 1.6m wide and 3m long and was orientated north-east/south-west. It was positioned to examine an area of high resistance visible on the resistivity survey data plot (Fig. 9). No archaeological features were identified. The topsoil was removed directly onto compact, dry, chalk-flecked, natural yellow clay at a depth of 0.3m below ground surface. The dryness of the clay could be attributed to the presence of small roots emanating from trees along the northern field boundary and the fact that the ground surface to the north of this boundary was at a considerably lower level.
5.4 Trench 4 (Fig. 3)
Trench 4 was L-shaped in plan and orientated north-east/south-west. It was 19m long and 1.6m wide with a 3m wide extension at its north-east end. This trench was positioned to investigate a number of earthworks; in particular, a wide low-lying area at the south-west end of the trench.
At the north-east end of Trench 4 was a large pit (39), over 5.5m long and 4m wide and in excess of 1m deep (Fig. 7 - Section 3) (Plate 3). The edge of this pit was traced to the south as shallow, sloping, cut 14. The pit clearly continued beyond the northern limits of the trench. It was filled by dark brown silty clay (13/21) and contained a small amount of medieval pottery, animal bone and a worked flint. Single residual sherds of Roman and Middle Saxon pottery were also recovered. The pit was truncated by a modern ceramic field drain that ran SSE-NNW down the natural ground-slope.
In the centre of the trench was a large irregular-shaped pit (12) over 2.7m wide by over 0.6m deep. It contained two greyish brown fills (10 and 11) and over 700g of animal bone and 55 sherds of 13th/14th century medieval pottery. At the south-west end of the trench was another large pit (28), over 4m long and 0.76m deep. This was filled by a slightly reddish greyish brown clay silt (22) containing pieces of post-medieval brick and tile. The pit clearly continued beyond the southern limits of the trench and equated with the low-lying area visible on the field surface. The low-lying area covered approximately 110 square metres and probably represented the position of a large post-medieval quarry pit.
5.5 Trench 5 (Fig. 4)
Trench 5 was 1.6m wide and 15.5m long and aligned NNW-SSE. The trench was positioned on steeply sloping ground, primarily to investigate a low resistance anomaly in the south-west corner of the pasture field (Fig. 9).
In the centre of Trench 5 was a large pit (51) over 11m in length and 1.35m deep (Fig. 7 - Section 4) that probably extended beyond the north end of the trench. The pit contained two fills. The earliest fill was a dark grey brown silty clay (20) that may have formed through natural silting. Above this, and filling the majority of the pit, was a thick deposit of chalky clay silt (55) containing occasional fragments of post-medieval brick that may represent deliberate in-fill. The pit was partially sealed by silt layer (23) which contained further fragments of post-medieval brick and tile. Pit 51 would appear to be a post-medieval quarry pit visible on the geophysical plot (Fig. 9) as an area of moderate resistance (light grey).
Extending beyond the south-end of the trench was a root-disturbed linear feature (41) that was clearly seen to be cut from high up in the section and had a fill indistinguishable from the topsoil. This feature appeared to be aligned north-east/south-west and is most probably a modern boundary ditch running parallel with the existing field edge. However, its position coincides with a wide area of moderate resistance (light grey) shown on the resistivity survey plot (Fig. 9) which might indicate the presence of another post-medieval quarry pit or may, in part, be due to root disturbance and moisture absorption caused by trees in the corner of the field.
The low resistance anomaly visible on the resistivity survey plot (Fig. 9) was not an archaeological feature as it coincided with the only area of undisturbed natural clay within the trench.
5.6 Trench 6 (Fig. 5) (Plate 4)
Trench 6 was the first of the two trenches located in the arable field. It was 1.6m wide and 5m long, orientated north-west/south-east and was positioned to investigate some slight anomalies (darker marks) visible on the gradiometry survey data plot (Fig. 8).
Two small boundary ditches containing Roman pottery were excavated in Trench 6. Ditch 27 was orientated east-west and filled with dark brownish grey silty clay (26). It contained ten sherds of Roman pottery and animal bone which included identifiable fragments of cattle and dog. Ditch 43 was orientated north-east/south-west and contained two fills (42 and 47) from which twenty-eight sherds of early Roman pottery were recovered. Other finds included cattle bones, sheep/goat teeth, oyster shells and iron nails. The two ditches looked to intersect with one another to the immediate south of the trench. The differences in alignment suggest two phases of apparently early Roman activity. Both ditches were truncated by a north-south linear feature; almost certainly a continuation of the modern field drain identified in Trench 4.
5.7 Trench 7 (Fig. 6)
Trench 7 was 1.6m long and 15m long and was orientated north-west/south-east. It was positioned to investigate a major north-east/south-west magnetic anomaly visible as a strong dark line on the gradiometry survey data plot (Fig. 8).
Three boundary ditches (25, 34 and 45), all containing Roman pottery, were excavated in Trench 7. The ditches were parallel, aligned south-west/north-east and headed towards the foot of the hill. All were cut into the chalky brown natural clay. Ditch 25 was 0.66m deep (Fig. 7 - Section 5) and filled by dark grey silty clay (24) which contained a large quantity (445 sherds) of 1st to 2nd century pottery and pieces of cattle, dog and sheep/goat bone. Ditch 25 clearly corresponds with the major anomaly identified by the geophysical survey (Fig. 8); probably due to its high domestic refuse content.
Ditch 34 was 0.44m deep and filled with dark grey brown silty clay (35) that contained a number of sherds of Roman pottery noticeably larger and slightly later in date (mid 2nd to early 3rd century) than any others recovered from the site. Ditch 45 was 0.53m deep and contained dog and sheep/goat teeth, oyster shell and a further quantity of early Roman pottery. Ditch 34 and ditch 45 were both broadly aligned with ditch 43 in Trench 6 and it is highly probable that one or the other of these ditches is its south-westerly continuation. Similarities in the finds assemblages would suggest that ditch 45 is the most likely match. The ditches excavated in the arable field appear to be part of a Roman field system. It is possible that ditch 25 delineates the east side of a possible unsurfaced trackway and ditches 43 and 45 delineate the west.
6.0 FINDS by Joyce Compton
6.1 Introduction
Finds were recovered from thirty-six contexts across six of the excavated trenches. No finds were recovered from Trench 3. All of the material has been recorded by count and weight, in grams, by context, except for certain groups of finds discarded during preliminary sorting of the material. These comprise natural stone pieces and small fragments of modern roof tile, from ten contexts in total, for which details are held in the archive. The recorded finds are listed and described in Appendices 2 and 3.
The largest assemblage component is pottery, recorded in twenty-nine contexts and amounting to 843 sherds, weighing just over 7kg. Pottery of Roman date comprises almost 90% by weight of the total assemblage, and was recovered mainly from Trenches 6 and 7. Medieval and post-medieval material was largely confined to Trenches 1, 2, 4 and 5, and the pottery forms the subject of a separate report, see below. The finds are described by category, as follows:
6.2 Roman Pottery
Roman pottery, amounting to 731 sherds, weighing 6311g, was recovered from a total of seventeen contexts. The pottery has been recorded by count and weight, in grams, by context; and the main pottery types are noted in Appendix 3. A sherd of samian was collected from the surface of the arable field on Christmas Day 2005; this has been added to the quantification table for the pottery from context 2. The pottery fabrics were recorded using the ECC FAU fabric series, and the identified vessels using the form series devised for Chelmsford (Going 1987, 13-54). The pottery is fragmentary, with an average sherd weight of 8.6g, and there is some degree of abrasion, especially for the unstratified material.
Most of the assemblage is composed of locally-made coarse wares, mainly early Roman in character. Much of the pottery displays north-west Essex/Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire influences, for instance there is a high incidence of jars with rilling on the shoulder. These are so-called Braughing jars, possibly manufactured at nearby Much Hadham and therefore common in west Essex and Hertfordshire. There is no pottery which dates exclusively to the 3rd century or later, and no Late Iron Age pottery was identified. Continental imports are few, restricted to three sherds of samian and two possible examples of amphora; the latter probably derived from wine containers.
More than 45% by weight of the pottery came from a single context, the fill of ditch 25 (Trench 7). Roman pottery was also found in Trenches 2 and 4, residually and mainly as single sherds. It should be noted that these trenches produced the recorded instances of amphora and the assigned Roman date is tentative for both pieces. The Roman pottery recovered from the site represents domestic rubbish.
6.3 Post-Roman pottery by Helen Walker
A relatively small amount of pottery, 112 sherds weighing 994g, was excavated from fifteen contexts. One sherd, from fill 21 of pit 39, has been tentatively identified as Middle Saxon. It is dark grey, thick-walled and contains inclusions of oolites, irregular fragments of limestone, and carbonised grains. Its surfaces are striated. The oolites (tiny spheres) are derived from oolitic limestone implying an East Midlands origin, as this is the nearest outcrop of this type of rock. A Middle Saxon oolitic-tempered fabric also occurs at Colchester (Cotter 2000, 38). The suggested date range for this sherd is 7th to 9th century (S. Tyler pers. comm.). Middle Saxon pottery is uncommon in Essex, so although only a single sherd is present, and it is residual in a medieval context, it is important as it may indicate Saxon activity in the area.
Most of the pottery found (ninety-two sherds weighing 753g) belongs to the High Middle Ages and spans the 12th to 14th centuries. Pottery of this date comes from pits 12 and 39, and from layers 48-50. Small amounts of medieval pottery were also residual in post-medieval and modern contexts. The most frequent type of pottery is Hedingham ware, manufactured in and around the village of Sible Hedingham 25km to the south-east of Hadstock. Two types of pottery were manufactured there; a grey, unglazed coarse ware in which kitchen wares were produced, and a creamy orange fine ware, in which glazed and decorated jugs were produced for use at the table and for display.
A number of fragments from Hedingham fine ware jugs are present at Hadstock. One example makes use of different coloured slips and clays to produce a polychrome effect; this is probably an example of Rouen-style decoration and is datable to the early to mid 13th century. There are also several sherds from stamped strip jugs, the most common decorative style found on Hedingham ware, with a broad date range of early 13th to perhaps the early 14th century. Hedingham products were by no means standardised and some sherds show a variation on this design, having applied pellets on the shoulder in place of ring-and-dot stamps. Another fragment has ring stamps rather than ring-and-dot stamps and shows a group of applied pellets as well as applied strips.
Examples of Hedingham coarse ware are also present, although the only diagnostic sherd is a cooking pot rim of a type datable to the early to mid 13th century (type H2). The assemblage includes are a few sherds of medieval coarse ware and sandy orange ware. These are general categories of medieval pottery and cannot be assigned a specific production site. The only featured sherd is a medieval coarse ware thickened inturned dish rim from cleaning context 3.
Of the remaining nineteen sherds of pottery, there are two sherds of glazed post-medieval red earthenware which could date anytime between the later 16th/17th to 19th centuries. Also of note is a sherd of mocha ware pottery, a decorative style popular during the mid to late 19th century and often found in assemblages derived from cottage occupation. The rest of the pottery is of 19th to 20th century date and is described in Appendix 3.
6.4 Other finds
Brick and Tile
A large quantity (233 pieces weighing 9384g) of brick and roof tile fragments were recorded. The assemblage is fragmentary and unremarkable; no complete or semi-complete bricks were noted. All of the assemblage is post-medieval or modern, and mainly recovered from Trenches 1 to 5. The exception is a piece of Roman brick, found in the fill of ditch 45 (Trench 7). In several instances, small fragments of post-medieval brick and tile appear to be intrusive in earlier contexts. There are six examples of brick and tile in buff fabrics; these were probably made in Suffolk. Many of the brick fragments had mortar or cement adhering. A piece of post-medieval floor tile, with a heavily-worn surface, came from layer 4 (Trench 2). The nature of the assemblage, as well as the number of mortared fragments, indicates probable building-derived waste, as is the case for the stone assemblage, see below. Much of the brick and tile assemblage has been discarded following recording.
Metalwork
Items of metalwork, mainly comprising iron nails, were recovered from twelve contexts. A variety of objects was retrieved from the topsoil and upper layers in Trenches 1 and 2. The iron objects include brackets, rings, a linkage from a tractor or similar, and a pony-shoe, all modern in date. The copper alloy is also modern, consisting of a length of wire and parts of what may have been a pocket watch. Joining pieces of copper alloy strip were found in the topsoil, and the layer beneath, in Trench 2. A piece of lead strip, possibly modern flashing, also came from the topsoil in Trench 2.
Glass
Five contexts, representing upper layers in Trenches 1 and 2, produced glass, amounting to twenty-one sherds weighing 66g. Two sherds of colourless window glass were noted, otherwise the assemblage comprised bottle glass, mainly dark green. All of the glass is modern, apart from a single piece of decayed bottle glass. This is derived from a wine bottle of 17th or 18th century date found during cleaning of Trench 2 (context 3).
Baked clay
A very small assemblage (412g from six contexts, mainly Trenches 6 and 7) was recorded. The fragments are too small to determine whether they derive from structural daub or from objects, but are probably of Roman date, as they are found in association with Roman pottery.
Stone and Flints
More than 9kg of stone fragments were recorded. All of the fragments are natural and unworked and probably represent building-waste, or rubble, from a renovated building, or buildings, nearby. Nearly all of the stone was recovered from Trenches 1 to 5, which were positioned in the field nearer the village. Unmodified flint flakes, fourteen in total, came from seven contexts, all in Trenches 1 to 5 and all likely to be incidental in their contexts. Seven contexts also produced fossils.
Animal bone
A small, but mixed, assemblage of animal bone (375 fragments, weighing 3486g) was recovered. More than 60% by weight came from Trenches 1 to 5, and this was the most fragmentary. Most major food animals were identified, along with bones of horse, cat and dog. Horse and cat bones were restricted to Trenches 2 and 4. A single bird bone was noted (layer 48, Trench 2). Few butchery marks were recorded, but most of the assemblage is likely to represent food waste. It is likely that the animal bone has accumulated through the spreading of midden material, and this may explain the presence of non-food animals.
Shell
Very little shell was recovered, amounting to seventeen pieces weighing 167g, and found in seven contexts. Almost all of the shell is oyster, with a garden snail recorded in the fill of ditch 43 (Trench 6). Shell was recovered from Roman, medieval and post-medieval contexts.
6.5 Comments on the assemblage
A variety of finds was recorded, although most finds categories were present in small amounts. A large proportion of the material from the topsoil and upper layers is relatively modern, and the associated undatable finds were also probably deposited during the post-medieval or modern periods. Very few artefacts, other than pottery, could be dated any earlier than 17th century, and it should be noted that almost a quarter of the post-Roman pottery is Victorian or later. Both the medieval and Roman pottery assemblages, however, although small, have many interesting aspects. The presence of the Middle Saxon sherd is notable. No further work is required on the finds assemblages, either because they are too recent or because they are too small. Their primary value has been in providing dating evidence for excavated features. As stated above, much of the natural stone, and the brick and tile, has been discarded. Most of the modern material and minor categories such as the shell have also been discarded. Further discard could take place at the archiving stage. The Roman, Saxon and medieval finds, and the flints, should be retained.
7.0 DISCUSSION (Figs 8 and 9)
The results of the archaeological investigation corroborate the findings of the geophysical survey. In almost every case where the geophysical plot indicated an archaeological feature one was encountered during the excavation.
7.1 Roman
The earliest features excavated were all located in the arable field. They broadly date to the 1st and 2nd century AD and represent the remains of an early Roman field system. A number of possible linear features aligned north-east/south-west and north-west/south-east had been identified from the gradiometer survey (GSB Prospection Ltd 2005) (Fig. 8). The archaeological trenching confirmed that these are most likely to be ditches forming the boundaries to a series of Roman rectilinear field enclosures.
Although no associated surface was identified, it is possible that excavated ditch 25 to the east, and ditches 43 and 45 to the west, defined either side of an early Roman track-way leading down to the foot of the hill. The Roman pottery recovered from the top of ditch 34 was slightly later in date, larger in size and less-abraded than most other finds. This suggests that it had not travelled far prior to deposition and may therefore indicate the presence of a near-by mid Roman occupation site. No Roman features were identified in the trenches in the pasture field, but the recovery of residual sherds of Roman pottery suggest that activity of this date also took place in this vicinity.
The presence of Roman remains at Hadstock is not surprising given it is located only three miles to the east of the Roman fort and town at Great Chesterford. The lack of any later Roman material at Hadstock is perhaps unusual given that Great Chesterford was a thriving walled town in the 4th century (Burnham and Wacher 1990, 138-142). However, this lack of later material may be simply a result of the limited size of the investigation trenches, or due to later enlargement of fields, perhaps as part of a villa estate, rather than anything as drastic as the total abandonment of the land at this time.
7.2 Medieval
It was hoped that the archaeological investigation would reveal evidence that would confirm that Hadstock was the site of the monastery founded in the 7th century by St Botolph. Unfortunately, no evidence was forthcoming, as all the investigated earthworks appear to be of later date. However, one residual sherd of Middle Saxon pottery was recovered suggesting that there may have been some sort of Saxon presence in Hadstock contemporary with the existence of St Botolph's monastery. If there was a Saxon monastery at Hadstock it is likely that the monastic church would have been located beneath, or close to, the present day church of St Botolph. Evidence from excavated contemporary monastic sites, such as Jarrow in Northumberland (Cramp 1969), suggests that the other monastic buildings would have been clustered near-to the church. Topographically, the most suitable location for the monastery would be on the rough terraced area occupied by the present church and the village hall rather than on the noticeably lower sloping pasture field to the east. Excavations in the nave and transepts of Hadstock Church in the 1970s revealed several phases of stone-built church (Rodwell 1976), though not one that could be conclusively linked with the age of St Botolph. Some limited evidence of post-Roman occupation predating the church structures (Rodwell 1976, 59) was also identified. Two further archaeological features of unknown date were recorded on the terraced area to the east of the village hall during a recent watching brief (Andrews 1999), although a deep deposit of more modern material identified to the north of the village hall suggested an element of levelling perhaps associated with the construction of the hall in the 19th century.
The pottery evidence suggests that there is little or no activity in the pasture field until the high medieval period in the 13th/14th century. Two quarry pits in Trench 4 date to this time as do the layers underlying the flint surface in Trench 2. Quite whether it is chalk, clay or flint that is being quarried is unclear. The lumps of chalk within the natural clay did get larger with depth, but in no instance was bedrock chalk exposed. The quarrying activity might be associated with repair work to the church, much of which is believed to have taken place in the 13th and 14th centuries (Rodwell 1976, 71). Clunch (a form of chalk) is known to have been used for some building work within the church. Alternatively, the quarrying may have been a source of material for house building or repair work in the village. The walls of some of the older properties in the Hadstock are constructed from clay pat (P. Croxton-Smith pers. com.), a local name for blocks formed from clay mixed with chalk and straw. It is possible that the pasture field was periodically used as a construction yard as well as a quarry. The layers in Trench 2 and the underlying band of chalk and flint rubble and chalk fill may all be associated with these activities.
7.3 Post-medieval
Further quarrying activity took place in the post-medieval periods and again may be attributable to repair work to the church in the 18th and 19th centuries or building work in the village at this time. Quarry pit 28 in Trench 4 appears to be depicted on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, but not on subsequent editions, suggesting that it was infilled in the later 19th century. If deposit 16 was a track connected with this activity, it is interesting to note that this leads northwards towards Hadstock Hall rather than westwards towards the church. Tile and stone, probably derived from building debris, was a noticeable component of the finds assemblage from the pasture field (Compton above) and suggests an element of dumping of debris within the field. The flint surface (19) would appear most likely to be post-medieval in date. The function of this surface is unclear but it may simply be a flattened spread of constructional debris. A post-medieval date also seems most likely for the semi-circular sandy bank (56), particularly if this is associated with track 16 as the geophysical plot would suggest (Fig. 9). Again the function of this bank is unclear; it is unlikely to be an in situ natural deposit and may therefore be a stockpile of construction material, rather than a structure in its own right.
8.0 CONCLUSION
The archaeological investigation has successfully corroborated the results of the geophysical survey undertaken by GSB Prospection. Archaeological features corresponding with the positions of geophysical anomalies were identified in both the pasture and arable fields.
The investigation has confirmed the presence of a previously unrecorded Roman field enclosure system in the arable field and suggests the possible presence of a near-by mid Roman occupation site. This agricultural landscape would have formed part of the hinterland of the near-by Roman town at Great Chesterford. The lack of Roman features in the sloping pasture field suggests that the slightly higher and flatter parts of the arable field were probably more agriculturally favourable.
No firm evidence was found linking the site with the seventh century monastery of St Botolph. The presence of one sherd of residual Middle Saxon pottery is intriguing as it at least confirms a Saxon presence in Hadstock around the time that the monastery founded by St Botolph was in existence.
Prior to this investigation, the Essex Historic Environment Record suggested that the earthworks in the pasture field were the remains of a deserted medieval village (4851). However, the results of the archaeological trenching, in combination with those of the geophysical survey, suggest that most of the remains are probably the result of quarrying, constructional activities and perhaps also the dumping of waste, undertaken from the High Middle Ages to the late Victorian period.
The archaeological investigation has provided a rare and valuable opportunity to excavate part of a living/evolving Essex village of undoubted antiquity and has demonstrated the value of local volunteer involvement in archaeological research and excavation. The investigation has also proved to be a catalyst bringing together a wide cross-section of the local inhabitants, to participate in an interesting and successful community project.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The archaeological investigation was undertaken by members of the Hadstock Society and local volunteers under the supervision and guidance of Trevor Ennis of Essex County Council Field Archaeology Unit. Particular thanks go to Crocky, Hamish and Rosamund of the Hadstock Society. The project was organised under the Local Heritage Initiative scheme administered by the Countryside Commission and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Hadstock Society processed the finds under the guidance of Phil McMichael of ECC FAU. Additional fieldwork assistance was received from Chris Down and Dave Smith of ECC FAU.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Andrews, D.
1999
Hadstock, St. Botolph. Mains drainage watching brief report. ECC report
Burnham, B.C. and Wacher, J.
1990
The 'Small Towns' of Roman Britain. London: Batsford
Cotter, J.
2000
The post-Roman pottery from excavations in Colchester 1971-85, Colchester Archaeol. Rep. 7
Cramp, R.
1969
'Excavations at the Saxon monastic sites of Wearmouth and Jarrow, Co. Durham: an interim report', Medieval Archaeology 13, 21-66
ECC Field Archaeology Unit
2004
Earthworks to the east of the Church of St Botolph, Hadstock, Essex: Contour Survey. ECC report
Going, C.J.
1987
The Mansio and Other Sites in the South-eastern Sector of Caesaromagus: the Roman pottery, Chelmsford Archaeol. Trust Rep. 3.2, Counc. Brit. Archaeol. Res. Rep. 62
GSB Prospection Ltd
2005
Geophysical Survey Report 2005/63: Hadstock, Essex.
Report for client
Leland, J.
-
'Jervaulx Chronicle' in Collectanea iii
Rodwell, W.
1976
'The Archaeological Investigation of Hadstock Church, Essex', Antiquaries J., LVI, part 1, 55-71
Swanton, M. (Trans. and Ed.)
2000
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. London: Pheonix
APPENDIX 1: CONTEXT DATA
All dimensions given in metres
Context
Trench
Type
Description
Period
01
2
Unstrat.
Topsoil finds
Modern
02
7
Unstrat.
Topsoil finds
Modern
03
2
Cleaning
Clean over flint surface
Modern
04
2
Layer
Mid yellow brown clay silt, 0.2m thick
Modern
05
4
Fill of 6
Grey brown /light brown clay silt
Post-med
06
4
Pit
Irregular, 1m x 0.9m+ x 0.35m deep. Filled by 5
Post-med
07
1
Unstrat.
Topsoil finds and cleaning
Modern
08
1
Layer
Mid grey clay silt
Modern
09
5
Unstrat.
Topsoil finds and cleaning
Post-med
10
4
Fill of 12
Greyish brown silty clay (rooty), 0.18m thick
Medieval
11
4
Fill of 12
Brown to grey brown silty clay, 0.40m thick
Medieval
12
4
Pit
Irregular, 1.6m+ x 2.4m+ x 0.6m+ deep. Filled by 10, 11
Medieval
13
4
Fill of 14
Dark brown silty clay
Medieval
14
4
Pit
Semi-circular, 3.5m+ x 0.88m+ x 0.11m deep. Filled by 13
Medieval
15
2
Layer
Dark brown topsoil, 0.16m thick
Modern
16
1
Layer
Surface? Mid grey silty clay with chalk and flints
Modern
17
2
Layer
Dark grey brown clay silt, 0.07m thick
Modern
18
1
Fill of 33
Mid grey brown silty clay
Modern
19
2
Layer
Flint and chalk surface, occasional stone, 0.14m thick
Post-med?
20
5
Fill of 51
Dark grey brown silty clay, 0.2m thick
Post-med
21
4
Fill of 39
Dark brown to slight greyish brown silty clay
Medieval
22
4
Fill of 28
Greyish brown (slightly reddish) clay silt
Post-med
23
5
Fill of 51
Light to mid grey clay silt
Post-med
24
7
Fill of 25
Dark grey/grey brown silty clay
Roman
25
7
Ditch
NE/SW orientated, 1.3m wide x 0.66m deep. Filled by 24
Roman
26
6
Fill of 27
Dark brownish grey silty clay
Roman
27
6
Ditch
E/W orientated, 2m+ x 0.84m x 0.3m deep. Filled by 26
Roman
28
4
Pit
Large quarry, 4m+ x 1.6m+ x 0.76m deep. Filled by 22
Post-med
29
1
Cut
Cut of trackway? 1.6m+ x 2.4m x 0.27m deep. Filled by 16, 30
Modern
30
1
Fill of 29
Mid yellow brown silty clay
Modern
31
1
Cut
Possible wheel rut? In 30
Modern
32
1
Cut
Possible wheel rut? In 30
Modern
33
1
Ditch
NW/SE orientated, 1.8m+ x 1.6m x 0.74m deep. Filled by 18
Modern
34
7
Ditch
NE/SW orientated, 1.6m+ x 1.2m x 0.44m deep. Filled by 35
Roman
35
7
Fill of 34
Dark grey brown silty clay
Roman
36
1
Layer
Grey clay silt, 0.05m deep
Post-med
37
1
Layer
Grey clay silt, 0.18m deep
Post-med
38
6
Unstrat.
Topsoil finds
Modern
39
4
Pit
Large, 4m+ x 1.6m+ x 1m+ deep. Filled by 21
Medieval
40
5
Fill of 41
Dark grey clay silt
Modern
41
5
Ditch
NE/SW orientated, 1.6m+ x 0.9m+ x 0.4m+
Modern
42
6
Fill of 43
Dark grey brown silty clay
Roman
43
6
Ditch
NE/SW orientated, 1.6m+ x 1.2m x 0.55m deep. Filled by 42, 47
Roman
44
7
Fill of 45
Grey brown silty clay
Roman
45
7
Ditch
N/S orientated, 1.6m+ x 1.75m x 0.53m deep
Roman
46
7
Cleaning
Clean over above 44
Modern
47
6
Fill of 43
Dark grey silty clay
Roman
48
2
Layer
Mid-dark grey clay silt, 0.11m thick
Medieval
49
2
Layer
Mid-dark grey clay silt, 0.31m thick
Medieval
50
2
Layer
Mid-dark grey clay silt, 0.11m+ thick
Medieval
51
5
Pit
Large quarry, 4m+ x 1.6m+ x 1.35m deep
Post-med
52
2
Layer
Linear deposit of chalk and flint, 0.5m+ long x 0.8m wide
Medieval
53
2
Layer
Grey clay silt with chalk nodules (not excavated)
Medieval
54
2
Layer
General number for finds from above bank 56. Equals layers 59-62
Post-med
55
5
Fill of 51
Light brownish grey clay silt
Post-med
56
2
Bank?
Orange to greyish orange silty sand. 1.6m+ long x 3m+ wide x 0.4m+ thick.
Undated
57
2
Layer
Grey chalk flecked clay silt, 0.10m thick
Modern
58
2
Layer
Greyish brown silty clay, 0.12m thick
Post-med
59
2
Layer
Light brown/grey clay silt, 0.25m thick
Post-med
60
2
Layer
Grey brown clay silt, 0.28m thick
Post-med
61
2
Layer
Grey brown clay silt, 0.22m thick
Post-med
62
2
Layer
Grey brown chalky clay silt, 0.33m thick
Post-med
APPENDIX 2: FINDS DATA
All weights given in grams
Context
Feature
Count
Weight
Description
Date
1
Unstrat
2
680
Iron objects; bracket with one hole; linkage (tractor or similar - both discarded)
Modern
3
80
Copper alloy objects; wire; strip with semi-circular section; casing, diameter 42mm (All discarded)
Modern
1
44
Lead strip (Discarded)
Modern
6
42
Animal bone; humerus, distal end, sheep/goat; rib, proximal end; fragments
-
1
108
Stone; flat fragment with mortared corner
-
25
1110
Brick and tile, one tile mortared, one brick fragment embedded in cement (All discarded)
Modern
1
4
Pottery; body sherd, modern ceramic
Modern
2
Unstrat
2
154
Iron objects; bracket with two holes; annular ring, diameter 30mm (Both discarded)
Modern
18
198
Animal bone; pig mandible fragment with one molar; sheep/goat molars x 2; molar and metacarpus, distal end, cattle; long bone shafts; sheep/goat phalanx, proximal end, burnt; fragments, inc skull and pelvis
-
4
20
Shell; oyster fragments (Discarded)
-
9
20
Baked clay fragments (Discarded)
-
-
46
Slag (Discarded)
-
3
92
Roof tile fragments (Discarded)
Modern
1
2
Pottery; body sherd, flower pot
Modern
81
826
Pottery; rim, base and body sherds, mainly abraded GRS; stamp of Sacerus on f33 base and f37 body sherd TSG; 3-ribbed flagon handle; rilled b/s LSH
Roman
3
Layer
2
50
Iron nails, one with large square head, one shaft (Discarded)
Modern
2
58
Copper alloy objects; strip - joins with strip in 1; circular mechanism from switch or timepiece (Both discarded)
Modern
18
226
Animal bone; tibia shaft with strong muscle attachment marks, chopped, and tibia, distal end, large mammal; cat humerus and ?fibula, proximal end; rib, proximal end; fragments
-
4
276
Stone; natural fragments
-
8
28
Glass; dark blue bottle sherds x 5, one has embossed 'S'; decayed wine bottle body sherd; mineral water bottle sherd; colourless window sherd
Post med/
modern
19
396
Roof tile fragments (Discarded)
Post med/
modern
3
11
Pottery; abraded rim and body sherds
Medieval
1
4
Pottery; shoulder sherd GRS
Roman
4
Layer
3
46
Animal bone; fragments, one from a large mammal long bone shaft
-
4
6
Flint flakes
-
1
6
Glass; green bottle sliver (Discarded)
Modern
2
264
Brick fragments, no surfaces (Discarded)
Post med.
6
118
Roof tile fragments, one with peg hole (Discarded)
Post med.
1
142
Floor tile fragment, surface heavily worn
Post med.
5
6
8
156
Roof tile fragments, one heavily mortared (3/124g retained)
Post med.
2
14
Pottery; laminated body sherd, buff fabric, possibly amphora
?Roman
7
Unstrat
2
4
Iron nails (Discarded)
-
1
6
Glass; colourless window sherd (Discarded)
Modern
22
770
Brick and tile fragments, some mortared, one in buff fabric (Discarded)
Modern
1
22
Pottery; body sherd, modern ceramic
Modern
1
1
Pottery; body sherd
Medieval
1
18
Pottery; body sherd, could be Roman or medieval
Undated
8
Layer
3
166
Iron objects, plus nail; large domed rivet; sheet fragment (All discarded)
Modern
6
56
Animal bone; dog humerus; tibia, distal end, sheep/goat; fragments
-
9
258
Brick and tile fragments (All discarded)
Post med/
modern
1
1
Pottery; glazed and decorated body sherd
Medieval
9
Unstrat
2
48
Pottery; body sherds, one glazed
Post med.
10
12
2
32
Animal bone; fragments
-
1
555
Stone; tabular piece
-
3
10
Brick fragments (Discarded)
Post med.
5
28
Pottery; rim and body sherds, some glazed
Medieval
2
6
Pottery; body sherds
Roman
11
12
96
675
Animal bone; atlas vertebra, incomplete, ?horse; vertebrae, long bone shaft and rib fragments, large mammal; pig canine and molar; astragalus and tibia, distal end, sheep/goat; ?cat humerus, distal end; fragments
-
1
1
Shell; oyster fragment (Discarded)
-
1
18
Flint flake, very worn surfaces
-
7
1125
Stone; natural fragments
-
5
8
Brick fragments (Discarded)
Post med.
50
322
Pottery; twisted handle and body sherds, some glazed
Medieval
13
14
2
8
Animal bone; joining fragments ?foot bone
-
1
1060
Stone; natural piece in three fragments
-
1
2
Flint flake
-
1
2
Pottery; body sherd
Roman
15
Layer
1
-
Glass; dark blue chip (Discarded)
Modern
8
56
Brick and tile fragments, one mortared, one in buff fabric (Discarded)
Modern
1
58
Pottery; body sherd, abraded buff fabric, probably amphora
?Roman
16
Layer
1
4
Unworked flint
-
7
256
Brick fragments (Discarded)
Modern
5
102
Roof tile fragments (Discarded)
Modern
17
Layer
1
1
Animal bone; pig incisor
-
9
280
Brick and tile fragments (Discarded)
Modern
1
2
Pottery; body sherd
Medieval
18
33
3
128
Iron objects; horse/pony/donkey shoe; fragments (Discarded)
-
13
80
Iron nails (Discarded)
-
1
4
Animal bone; fragment
-
1
524
Stone; natural fragment
-
2
6
Flint flakes, one patinated
-
10
26
Glass; dark green bottle body sherds; blue-green bottle sherd (All discarded)
Modern
25
1650
Brick fragments (Discarded)
Modern
9
364
Roof tile fragments, one with peg hole, one in buff fabric, three are pantiles (Discarded)
Post med/ Modern
12
144
Pottery; modern ceramics
Modern
19
Layer
15
386
Animal bone; tibia, proximal end, unfused, large mammal; metacarpus, distal end, cattle; sheep/goat molar; fragments inc rib
-
3
3090
Stone; natural pieces
-
1
4
Flint flake
-
1
2
Roof tile sliver (Discarded)
Post med.
22
28
1
26
Iron nail (Discarded)
-
1
4
Animal bone; shaft, possible pig metapodial
-
1
10
Shell; oyster fragment (Discarded)
-
4
208
Brick fragments, one mortared - this retained, 160g
Post med.
15
296
Roof tile fragments, one with peg hole, two in buff fabric (these retained 44g)
Post med.
1
10
Pottery; body sherd, buff fabric but tempered with flint
?Roman
23
51
3
16
Iron nails (Discarded)
-
12
80
Animal bone; dog canine; long bone shaft and rib fragments
-
19
755
Brick fragments (17/294g discarded)
Post med.
7
208
Roof tile fragments (Discarded)
Post med.
2
8
Pottery; body sherds
Medieval
24
25
2
12
Iron nail and ?shaft
-
67
416
Animal bone; sheep/goat mandible with molars; cattle molars and incisor; dog canine; cattle phalanx; sheep/goat phalanx; sheep/goat scapula fragments, metacarpus and metatarsus, both distal end; vertebra, skull and rib fragments, large mammal; fragments
-
14
294
Baked clay fragments, possibly daub
-
445
2900
Pottery; rim, base and body sherds, various types, mainly 1st and early 2nd century fabrics and forms
Roman
26
27
5
96
Animal bone; tibia, distal end, cattle; radius, proximal end, dog; fragments inc long bone shaft
-
2
40
Brick fragments (Discarded)
Post med.
10
64
Pottery; rim and body sherds
Roman
34*
34
4
1005
Stone; natural pieces
-
12
126
Pottery; rim and body sherds
Roman
35
34
12
815
Pottery; f37 bowl footring TSG; B2 dish, whole profile GRF; G21 jar rim, two large pieces GRS; other rim and body sherds GRS and BSW
Roman
36
Layer
4
190
Brick fragments, abraded (one retained 158g)
Post med.
1
40
Roof tile fragment
Post med.
37
Layer
6
4
Animal bone; fragments
-
3
18
Brick and tile fragments (Discarded)
Post med.
38
Unstrat
2
6
Iron nails
-
12
56
Animal bone; tibia, distal end, unfused, in several fragments, medium-sized mammal; fragments
-
1
20
Baked clay
-
3
22
Roof tile fragments
Post med.
16
56
Pottery; mainly small body sherds
Roman
39*
39
9
242
Animal bone; astragalus, horse; long bone shafts; fragments
-
1
10
Shell; oyster, one valve (Discarded)
-
4
10
Pottery; body sherds, two glazed
Medieval
1
15
Pottery; thick-walled body sherd
?Middle Saxon
42
43
31
454
Animal bone; scapula, glenoid cavity and pelvis fragments, cattle (mostly these); fragments
-
1
350
Stone; natural piece
-
16
86
Pottery; rim and body sherds
Roman
43*
43
3
2
Iron nails and fragment
-
8
14
Animal bone; sheep/goat molar; fragments
-
12
100
Pottery; body sherds
Roman
44
45
19
70
Animal bone; sheep/goat molars x 2; dog canine; fragments
-
4
36
Shell; oyster, three valves and fragment (Discarded)
-
1
156
Brick fragment, mis-shapen, depth 35mm
Roman
89
940
Pottery; rim and body sherds, mainly GRS
Roman
46
Layer
1
34
Iron fragment, flat with oval nail hole (Discarded)
Modern
5
30
Animal bone; humerus, proximal end, unfused, and part of epiphysis, medium-sized mammal; fragments
-
7
104
Pottery; rim and body sherds, mainly GRS
Roman
47
43
13
30
Animal bone; metapodial shaft x 2, ?sheep/goat; molar fragments, ruminant; fragments inc burnt
-
5
78
Shell; oyster four valves, one garden snail (All discarded)
-
10
52
Baked clay fragments
-
23
200
Pottery; rim and body sherds, some GRS but mainly from same G21 jar in BSW
Roman
48
Layer
2
6
Animal bone; bird femur; fragment
-
2
94
Stone; natural fragments
-
4
22
Flints; natural flakes
-
2
90
Roof tile fragments, one in buff fabric
Post med.
3
22
Pottery; body sherds, two glazed
Medieval
49
Layer
1
4
Animal bone; fragment
-
1
12
Shell; oyster, one valve (Discarded)
-
4
18
Baked clay fragments
-
15
228
Pottery; body sherds, all same vessel
Medieval
50
Layer
16
306
Animal bone; calcaneus fragments, horse; metapodial fragments, cattle; humerus, incomplete distal end, large mammal; tibia, distal end, medium-sized mammal
-
2
8
Baked clay fragments
-
1
362
Stone; natural piece
9
126
Pottery; body sherds, some glazed
Medieval
54
Layer
3
595
Stone; natural pieces and nodule
-
1
272
Brick fragment, abraded
Post med.
55
51
4
1055
Brick fragments, three are abraded, largest has width of 110mm, depth 55-60mm (only this retained 775g)
Post med.
* = Finds wrongly labelled with cut number
APPENDIX 3: POTTERY DATA
All weights in grams
Roman pottery data
Context
Feature
Count
Weight
Description
Date
2
Unstrat
81
826
Rim, base and body sherds, mainly abraded GRS; stamp of Sacerus on f33 base and f37 body sherd TSG; 3-ribbed flagon handle BUF; H1 beaker rim; rilled b/s LSH
Early Roman
3
Layer
1
4
Shoulder sherd, ?H1 beaker GRS
Early Roman
5
6
2
14
Laminated body sherd, buff fabric, possibly amphora
?Roman
10
12
2
6
Body sherds
Roman
13
14
1
2
Body sherd
Roman
15
Layer
1
58
Body sherd, abraded buff fabric, probably amphora
?Roman
22
28
1
10
Body sherd, buff fabric but tempered with flint
?Roman
24
25
445
2900
Rim, base and body sherds, variety of forms and fabrics
Late 1st/early 2nd C
26
27
10
64
Rim and body sherds
Roman
34
34
12
126
Rim and body sherds, one from C12/22 bowl type, two body sherds ?HGG
Late 1st/early 2nd C
35
34
12
815
Footring, f37 bowl TSG; B2 dish, whole profile GRF; G21 jar rim, two large pieces GRS; other rim and body sherds GRS and BSW
Mid 2nd/early 3rd C
38
Unstrat
16
56
Mainly small body sherds
Roman
42
43
16
86
Rim and body sherds, mainly from G21 jar in GRS
Note: similar rim in 26
Early Roman
43
43
12
100
Body sherds
Roman
44
45
89
940
Rim and body sherds, mainly GRS (at least one G21)
Early Roman
46
Layer
7
104
Rim and body sherds, mainly GRS
Mid Roman
47
43
23
200
Rim and body sherds, some GRS but mainly from same G21 jar in BSW (at least two G21s present)
Early Roman
731
6311
Post-Roman pottery data
Context
Feature
Count
Weight
Description
Date
1
Unstrat
1
4
Yellow ware showing mocha decoration
Mid to late 19th C
2
Unstrat
1
2
Flowerpot
19th to 20th C
3
Layer
2
4
Hedingham coarse ware
Mid 12th to 14th C
1
7
Medieval coarse ware thickened, inturned dish rim, abraded
12th to 13th C
7
Unstrat
1
1
Sandy orange ware ?from neck of jar
13th to 16th C
1
22
Slipped kitchen earthenware
19th to 20th C
8
Layer
1
1
Hedingham fine ware, green-glazed with remains of ring stamp, ?same vessel in context 50
13th C to early 14th C
9
Unstrat
1
36
PMRE, internally glazed, abraded
Late 16th/17th to 19th C
1
12
Modern flowerpot
19th to 20th C
10
12
2
3
Hedingham fine ware including green-glazed sherd with remains of applied decoration
13th C
2
20
Hedingham coarse ware including H2 cooking pot rim
Early to mid 13th C
1
5
PMRE glazed base
Late 16th/17th to 19th C
11
12
35
245
Hedingham fine ware including rim, twisted rod handle and body sherds from strip jug, one shoulder sherd showing applied pellets instead of ring-and-dot stamps, abraded
13th to early 14th C
13
74
Hedingham coarse ware
Mid 12th to 14th C
2
3
Medieval sandy orange ware
13th to 14th C
17
Layer
1
2
Medieval coarse ware
12th to 14th C
18
33
1
12
?modern unglazed white earthenware
19th to 20th C
4
65
Slipped kitchen earthenware
19th to 20th C
3
25
Yellow ware, undecorated
Late 18th to 20th C
2
35
Modern stoneware
19th to 20th C
2
7
Modern white earthenware, including burnt sherd
Mid 19th to 20th C
23
51
2
8
Hedingham coarse ware, joining sherds
Mid 12th to 14th C
39
39
1
15
Thick-walled reduced sherd with oolitic tempering, probably Mid-Saxon (ID by S. Tyler and H. Walker)
?7th to 9th C
(fill 21)
2
7
Hedingham fine ware, joining sherds showing remains of applied strip in a clay paler than that used for the body of the pot
13th to early 14th C
2
3
Hedingham coarse ware
Mid 12th to 14th C
48
Layer
2
10
Hedingham fine ware showing polychrome decoration, probably Rouen-style
Early to mid 13th C
1
12
Medieval coarse ware
12th to 14th C
49
Layer
15
228
Medieval coarse ware, base and body sherds from same vessel
12th to 14th C
50
Layer
6
88
Hedingham fine ware, sherds from jug showing ring (but not dot) stamps, applied strips and applied pellets
13th to early 14th C
1
8
Hedingham coarse ware
Mid 12th to 14th C
2
30
Medieval coarse ware
12th to 14th C
112
994
APPENDIX 4: CONTENTS OF ARCHIVE
SITE NAME: Fields to the east of St. Botolph's Church, Hadstock
SITE CODE: HDAC05
Index to Archive:
1. Introduction
1.1 Publication Report
2. Research Archive
2.1 Client Report
2.2 Finds Reports
2.3 Geophysical Survey Report
2.4 Contour Survey Report
3. Site Archive
3.1 Context Record Register
3.2 Context Records (1 to 62)
3.3 Plan Register
3.4 Section Register
3.5 4 x A4 plan sheets
3.6 1 x A4 section sheets
3.7 Levels Register
3.8 Small Finds Register
3.9 Trench location plans
3.10 Photographic Registers
3.11 Site Photographic Record (1 Set of Colour Slides, Colour and Black & White prints, 1 Set of digital images on disk)
3.12 Miscellaneous notes/plans
Not in File
Seven large plan and five large section sheets
Finds
The finds occupy three boxes.
APPENDIX 5: EHER SUMMARY SHEET
EHER SUMMARY SHEET
Site name/Address: Fields east of St Botolph's Church, Hadstock, Essex
Parish: Hadstock
District: Uttlesford
NGR: TL 5596 4472
Site Code: HDAC05
Type of Work: Archaeological Investigation
Site Director/Group: T. Ennis ECC Field Archaeology Unit
Date of Work: 3 to 29 October 2005
Size of Area Investigated: 152m2
Location of Finds/Curating Museum: Saffron Walden
Funding source: Local Heritage Initiative
Further Seasons Anticipated?: No
Related HER Nos.:4809-13, 4851, 36058
Final Report: 2006
Periods Represented: Roman, medieval, post-medieval
SUMMARY OF FIELDWORK RESULTS:
During October 2005 earthworks in the fields east of St Botolph's Church were investigated by members of the Hadstock Society under the supervision of the ECC Field Archaeology Unit. Five trenches were excavated in the pasture field to the east of the churchyard and two trenches were investigated in the larger arable to the south east of this. Trench location was based on the results of gradiometry and resistivity surveys carried out by GSB Prospection Ltd.
Roman
In the large arable field parts of four small boundary ditches were excavated. These formed part of a Roman field system dating from the late 1st to early 3rd centuries AD. Two ditches on a north-east/south-west alignment may have delineated either side of a possible track-way. Un-abraded, large, sherds of pottery recovered from an adjacent ditch may indicate the presence of a near-by mid Roman occupation site.
Saxon and Medieval
One residual sherd of Middle Saxon pottery was recovered from the excavation, indicating a probable Saxon presence in the landscape. However, no firm evidence for the existence of the monastery established by St Botolph in 654 AD was found. Two large 13th to 14th century quarry pits were identified in the south-east of the pasture field. Further medieval layers were identified beneath an undated flint surface in the centre of the field.
Post-medieval
Two large post medieval quarry pits were identified in the south of the field, one clearly equated with a large earthwork hollow that is depicted as a feature on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map. Other post-medieval deposits were identified in the centre of the field along with a ditch containing 19th to 20th century pottery. A 3m+ wide bank composed of sand with chalk and flint was partly exposed in the centre of the field. This corresponded with part of a large semi-circular feature over 10m in diameter identified by resistivity during the geophysical survey. Unfortunately, no dating evidence was recovered from this bank.
The results of the archaeological trenching in combination with those of the geophysical survey suggest that most of the remains within the pasture field probably result from quarrying, constructional activities and perhaps also the dumping of waste, undertaken from the High Middle Ages to the latter half of the Victorian period in this relatively marginal location of the village.
Previous Summaries/Reports: Hadstock, Essex, Geophysical Survey Report 2005/63. GSB Prospection Ltd. Contour Survey: Earthworks to the east of the Church of St Botolph, Hadstock, Essex: ECC Field Archaeology Unit, 2004
Author of Summary: T. Ennis
Date of Summary: February 2006
1427
10
2
1
Edwin's Hall, Woodham Ferrers
Archaeological Excavation & Monitoring on behalf of Mr and Mrs Hutton-Mayson
Fields east of St Botolph's Church, Hadstock
Archaeological investigation on behalf of the Hadstock Society