Colchester Archaeological Trust

CAT Report 639: summary

An archaeological evaluation by metal-detector survey and trial-trenching on land to the rear of 11 & 12 Wykeham Road, Writtle, Essex: March 2012
by Adam Wightman (with contributions from -)

Date report completed: April 2012
Location: land to the rear of 11 & 12 Wykeham Road, Writtle, Essex
Map reference(s): TL 6787 0653
File size: 2,144 kb
Project type: Evaluation by metal-detector survey and trial-trenching
Significance of the results: *
Keywords: pottery, tree-throw hole

Summary. Six potential archaeological features were identified during the evaluation. However, their irregular shapes, profiles and fills suggest that they were probably tree-throw holes or areas of modern disturbance in the hillwash into which small, abraded finds from the topsoil have become incorporated. Worked flints and pottery sherds recovered from the site suggest activity in the area in the Late Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman periods. No evidence associated with the nearby King John's Hunting Lodge was uncovered during the evaluation. The probable musket ball recovered during the metal-detector survey may derive from the possible use of the neighbouring field as a Napoleonic Wars-period army camp.