Colchester Archaeological Trust

CAT Report 401: summary

An archaeological evaluation at the site of the West Clacton reservoir and pumping station, Dead Lane, Great Bentley, Essex: November 2006
by Brooks, H; Holloway, B (with contributions from Benfield, S; Crummy, N)

Date report completed: 01/01/2007
Location: Great Bentley, Essex
Map reference(s): TM117186 (centre)
File size: 1,984 kb
Project type: Evaluation
Significance of the results: *
Keywords: prehistoric, Iron Age, medieval, post-medieval, cropmarks, post-medieval ditch, small finds, loomweight, daub, prehistoric pottery, Roman pottery, medieval pottery, post-medieval pottery

Summary. An evaluation by thirteen trial-trenches revealed an area of prehistoric and Roman occupation dating from the Middle Iron Age to the Roman period (not necessarily continuously), which is probably marginal to cropmark sites to the east and west. Later, a field system defined by medieval and post-medieval ditches was laid out over the site. There is no strong evidence for medieval or later settlement here, and an origin for both the finds and the ditches may be found in the farms and areas of settlement to the west and north of the site.