Colchester Archaeological Trust

CAT Report 1579: summary

Phases 3, 4 & 5 of archaeological monitoring and excavation at Hanson Quarry, Maldon Road, Birch, Essex, CO5 9XE: September 2019, June & September-October 2020
by Dr Elliott Hicks and Laura Pooley (with contributions from Julie Curl, Lisa Gray, Dr Matthew Loughton, Chris Lister, Mark Baister, Ben Holloway, Emma Holloway)

Date report completed: November 2020
Location: Hanson Quarry, Birch
Map reference(s): TL 92059 19552
File size: kb
Project type: Monitoring and excavation
Significance of the results:
Keywords:

Summary. Three phases (Phases 3, 4 and 5) of archaeological monitoring and excavation took place at Hanson Quarry, Maldon Road, Birch, Essex in September 2019, June 2020 and September to October 2020 prior to the commencement of mineral extraction. Archaeological investigations have been carried out at the quarry since 1992 with significant remains including a Bronze Age barrow cemetery, Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pits, Late Iron Age and Roman enclosures, Roman cremation burials and ovens, and post-medieval field boundaries. Phase 3, 4 and 5 monitoring revealed twelve prehistoric features, two post-medieval boundary ditches and a modern ditch, along with two undated features and a natural feature. The prehistoric features included two Bronze Age pits and a ditch. Finds were scarce but included a small quantity of Bronze Age pottery, burnt (heat-altered) stone, animal bone and burnt bone.