Archaeological Test Pit Excavations in Southminster, Essex, 2015, 2016 and 2017

Archaeological test pit excavations in Southminster, Essex, 2015, 2016 and 2017

Catherine Collins

2019

Access Cambridge Archaeology Department of Archaeology University of Cambridge Downing Street Cambridge CB2 3ER

01223 761519

[email protected]

http://www.access.arch.cam.ac.uk/

1 Introduction

A total of 32 1m2 archaeological test pits were excavated over a three-year period between 2015 and 2017 in the town of Southminster in southeast Essex, as part of the Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA), renamed the Independent Learning Archaeology Field School (ILAFS) in 2016, and run by Access Cambridge Archaeology (ACA) out of the University of Cambridge.

Southminster today is a small town set in the centre of the Dengie Peninsula, c.13km southeast of Maldon just under 4km north of Burnham-on-Crouch to the south. The settlement sits at between 10m and 30m OD, overlooking the Dengie Marshes to the east, the River Crouch to the south and is bounded by the Asheldham Brook to the north. The bedrock geology is the Thames Group of both clay and silts.

The name of Southminster was first recorded in the early 11th century as Suthmyster to mean ‘southern church’ and the Domesday Book lists the 30 hides in the village that were held by 14 knights of the Bishop of London. The settlement likely developed at a crossroads with St Leonards Church at its centre, originally built in the 12th century and extended in a linear formation along the High Street.

1.1 Access Cambridge Archaeology

Access Cambridge Archaeology (ACA) (http://www.access.arch.cam.ac.uk/) is an archaeological outreach organisation based in the Department of Archaeology in the University of Cambridge, which aims to enhance economic, social and personal well-being through active engagement with archaeology. It was set up in 2004 and specialises in providing opportunities for members of the public to take part in purposeful, research- orientated archaeological investigations including excavation. Educational events and courses range in length from a few hours to a week or more and involve members of the public of all ages.

Since 2015, ACA has been managed by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit (CAU) and thus have been able to work more closely with the unit to deliver outreach programmes such as the community excavations at Peterborough Cathedral in 2016, community test pitting activities in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. The ACA and CAU collaboration has also enabled the continuation of the education outreach projects that involve work with both primary and secondary school pupils.

1.2 The Independent Learning Archaeology Field School (ILAFS)

The Independent Learning Archaeology Field School (ILAFS) programme, formerly known as the Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA) programme, aims to raise the aspirations, enthusiasm and attainment of 14-17 year-olds with regard to higher education by making a valuable contribution to current academic research at the University of Cambridge. The three- day learning-extension course has been run by Access Cambridge Archaeology (ACA) since 2005, aimed at UK students in state schools years 9, 10 and 12.

On ILAFS, participants spend two days running their own small (1m2) archaeological excavation within living villages, with the aim of applying and developing a wide range of learning skills, boosting their academic confidence and giving them a taste of life and learning 3

at university level. They make new discoveries for and about themselves, and, in the process, contribute to the university's currently occupied rural settlement (CORS) research into the development of rural communities and settlements in the past. The third day is spent in the University of Cambridge analysing the excavation results in discursive learning sessions which aim to engage and challenge participants, prepare them to produce a written analysis for assessment as well as provide an inspirational and positive experience of higher education. After the field school, learners receive detailed individual feedback on their data collection, personal, learning and thinking skills developed during the fieldwork as well as their reporting and research skills exhibited in the written assignment, which will support applications to further and higher education.

2 Methodology

The three years of test pitting in Southminster was organised by ACA in conjunction with the Parish Council. The excavation and records followed the original Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA), instruction handbook and recording booklet.

The test pit digging takes place over two days, which begins with an initial talk explaining the aims of the excavation, the procedures used in digging and recording the test pit and the correct and safe use of equipment. Participants are then divided into teams of three or four individuals, and each team is provided with a complete set of test pit excavation equipment, copies of the instruction handbook and a record booklet to enter excavation data into.

The test pits were all 1m2 and the turf, if present, was removed in neat squares by hand. Each test pit was excavated in a series of 10cm spits or contexts, to a maximum depth of 1.2m. The horizontal surface of each context/spit was then drawn at 1:10 scale before excavation, a photograph taken and the colour of the soil recorded with reference to a standardised colour chart. A pro-forma recording system was used by participants to record their test pit excavation. This comprised a 16-page Test Pit Record booklet which was developed by ACA for use by people with no previous archaeological experience. Each pit and context is described and noted using the site code SOU/year, so SOU/15 for 2015, SOU/16 for 2016 and SOU/17 for 2017.

During the excavation, 100% of the spoil is sieved through a 10mm mesh (with the occasional exception of very heavy clay soils which have to be hand-searched). All artefacts are retained, cleaned and bagged by context. Cut and built features are planned at 1:10 and excavated sequentially with latest deposits removed first. Pottery and most other finds are identified promptly by archaeological experts on site who visit the test pits regularly providing advice and checking that the excavation is being carried out and recorded to the required standard. Test pits are excavated down to natural or the maximum safe depth of 1.2m, whichever is encountered first. A minority of test pits will stop on encountering a feature, (ancient or modern) which archaeological staff deem inadvisable or impossible to remove, and occasionally excavation may cease at a level above natural due to time constraints. On completion of each test pit excavation, all four sections are drawn at 1:10 along with the unexcavated base of the test pit prior to backfilling by hand and the turf replaced neatly to restore the site.

After the two days of excavation are completed, the archaeological records and finds (all of which are kept and cleaned on site) are retained by ACA at the University of Cambridge for analysis, reporting, archiving and submission to HER’s, publication and ongoing research into the origins and development of rural settlement. Ownership of objects rests in the first instance with the landowner, except where other law overrides this (e.g. Treasure Act 1996, 2006, Burials Act 1857). ACA retain all finds in the short term for analysis and ideally also in the longer term in order that the excavation archives will be as complete as possible, but any requests to return finds to owners will be agreed.

3 Results from the test pitting in Southminster

The approximate locations of the 32 test pits excavated in Southminster between April 2015 and May 2017 can be seen in figure 1 below (please note that the test pits are not to scale). By year this breaks down to 12 pits excavated in 2015, 10 in 2016 and 10 pits excavated in 2017 and were mainly excavated as part of the University of Cambridge’s HEFA/ILAFS programme.

The data from each test pit is discussed in this section and set out in numerical order and by year. Most excavation was in spits measuring 10cm in depth, but in cases when a change in the character of deposits indicated a change in context, a new spit was started before 10cm.

Figure 1: Location map of all the Southminster test pits. Green is 2015, blue is 2016 and yellow is 2017 (NB test pits not to scale) © Crown Copyright/database right 2019. An Ordnance Survey/EDINA supplied service 1: 10,000

3.1 2015 Test Pits (site code SOU/15)

The 2015 test pits in Southminster were excavated over the 29th and 30th of April by 42 Year 9 pupils from Ormiston Rivers Academy, William de Ferrers School and The Plume School (school names correct at time of participation). The 12 1m2 archaeological test pits were located in the back gardens of private properties on Hall Road, North Street, High Street, King’s Road and Burnham Road and there were also two test-pits located at the Southminster Residential Home on Station Road and two on the King George V Playing Fields with an additional pit dug in the Southminster church of England Primary school grounds by the pupils there.

The test pits were excavated as part of the Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA), run by ACA and funded by Cambridge Admissions Office out of the University of Cambridge. The test pitting was directed by Carenza Lewis, with onsite supervision provided by Catherine Collins, Laure Bonner and John Newman. Paul Blinkhorn analysed the pottery. The test-pits were organised by David Stamp of William de Ferrers School with Ron Pratt, mayor of nearby Burnham-on-Crouch, and Kay Maudesley, Southminster parish councillor.

Figure 2: Southminster 2015 test pit location map (NB test pits not to scale) © Crown Copyright/database right 2019. An Ordnance Survey/EDINA supplied service 1: 10,000

Test Pit one (SOU/15/1)

Test pit one was excavated in the enclosed side garden to the west of Southminster Hall, a modern building that replaced the probable medieval moated hall that was previously on this site (Southminster Hall, Hall Road, Southminster. TQ 96516 99473).

Test pit one was excavated to a depth of 0.4m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A small amount of pottery was excavated from SOU/15/1, with a single sherd of medieval Essex Grey Ware found with two sherds of post medieval Glazed Red Earthenware.

Grey GRE TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 1 2 1 2 1550-1600 1 3 1 7 1 5 1100-1600 Table 1: The pottery excavated from Figure 3: Location map of SOU/15/1 SOU/15/1

SOU/15/1 was the eastern most to be excavated during the 2015 test pitting in Southminster and was likely outside the confines of the original medieval village although it is believed that the modern Southminster Hall sits on the same site as a medieval moated hall site. The small amount of both finds and pottery that were recorded from the pit however does suggest that the site of the test pit was unlikely to have been the site of the original medieval site, although the single sherd of high medieval pottery that was found suggests limited activity on site from the 12th century onwards. The finds consist of tile, ceramic building material (CBM), a detachable drinks can pull, clay pipe, iron nails, coal and bottle glass. A possible worked flint was also excavated that may represent later prehistoric activity on site, although analysis of the lithics are needed to confirm this.

Test Pit two (SOU/15/2)

Test pit two was excavated in the enclosed front garden of a grade II listed 18th century former house that is currently in use as a nursing home for the elderly. It was the eastern of two pits to be excavated here; see also SOU/15/3 (Southminster Residential Care Home, Station Road, Southminster. TQ 95970 99721).

Test pit two was excavated to a depth of 0.56m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A wide range of pottery types were excavated from SOU/15/2, although the majority of which dates to the 16th century and later as Glazed Red Earthenware, Cologne Stoneware, Harlow Slipware, Delft Ware, Staffordshire White Salt-Glazed Stoneware and as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares. A small amount of medieval wares were also recorded from the test pit and have been identified as Essex Grey Ware, Mill Green Ware and Late medieval Colchester ware.

Figure 4: Location map of SOU/15/2

Grey MG LMT GRE WCS HSW DW SWSG VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 2 1 1 2 1100-1200 2 2 1 2 1 12 1 2 2 4 1 3 2 2 3 8 1100-1900 2 3 2 10 1 2 2 24 1550-1700 2 4 1 18 1550-1600 2 5 1 4 1 1 1100-1750 2 6 1 6 1 4 1 1 1100-1750 Table 2: The pottery excavated from SOU/15/2

The location of the test pit quite close to the main road and close to the central crossroads through the town may be why a range of pottery was excavated from SOU/15/2 that also suggests that there has been more or less continual activity on site from the 12th century onwards. There also does not seem to have too much disturbance from the modern extension of the nursing home to the north of the test pit, mainly through the upper two contexts of the test pits. The finds consist of glass, clay pipe, coal, slate, pieces of concrete/cement, oyster shell, tile, CBM, animal bone, iron nails and slag. Possible worked flints were also excavated from test pit two and map represent the presence of later prehistoric activity on site, although analysis of the lithics are needed to confirm this.

Test Pit three (SOU/15/3)

Test pit three was excavated in the enclosed front garden of a grade II listed 18th century former house that is currently in use as a nursing home for the elderly. It was also the western of two pits to be excavated here; see also SOU/15/2 (Southminster Residential Care Home, Station Road, Southminster. TQ 95943 99723).

Test pit three was excavated to a depth of 0.4m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

Two sherds of medieval pottery were excavated from SOU/15/3, identified as Essex Grey Ware and Late medieval Colchester ware. The rest of the pottery dates from the 16th century and later as Glazed Red Earthenware, Delft Ware, Staffordshire White Salt-Glazed Stoneware and as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

Figure 5: Location map of SOU/15/3

Grey LMT GRE DW SWSG VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 3 1 1 5 1800-1900 3 3 1 4 3 6 4 5 5 15 1100-1900 3 4 2 18 1 1 2 8 1550-1750 3 5 1 6 1400-1550 Table 3: The pottery excavated from SOU/15/3

The results from SOU/15/3 differ from SOU/15/2 just to the east in that a small range of pottery types were identified from the test pit and that despite the fact that both these test pits were excavated in the same garden and close to the main road, SOU/15/3 seems to have had a more marginal land use from the 12th century onwards. This test pit has also seemed to have more in the way of disturbance too through the pit, the finds consist of tile, CBM, coal, iron nails, clay pipe, glass, animal bone, oyster shell, a metal hook and pieces of scrap metal with burnt stone and possible worked flint, likely to be later prehistoric in date.

Test Pit four (SOU/15/4)

Test pit four was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a likely later 19th/early 20th century house set along a side road just north of the church (6 North Street, Southminster. TQ 95848 99795).

Test pit four was excavated to a depth of 0.5m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints and the presence of a Victorian ash pit, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/15/4 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares that were found mixed through the test pit. Two sherds of Essex Figure 6: Location map of SOU/15/4 Grey Ware were also recorded, but the rest of the pottery found dates from the 16th century onwards as German Stoneware, Glazed Red Earthenware, Delft Ware, English Stoneware and Staffordshire White Salt-Glazed Stoneware.

Grey GS GRE DW EST SWSG VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 4 1 1 6 7 15 1100-1900 4 2 1 8 45 100 1100-1900 4 3 1 12 1 3 67 182 1680-1900 4 4 1 5 4 55 115 310 1550-1900 4 5 1 4 1 4 35 357 1600-1900 4 6 1 29 2 179 20 129 1550-1900 Table 4: The pottery excavated from SOU/15/4

A great deal of both the finds and pottery date to after the construction of the current house and the land use as a garden from the 19th century onwards; this more recent activity has also disturbed the ground through all the excavated levels of the test pit. The mix of finds consist of tile, CBM, glass, modern nail and screws, iron nails, coal, pieces of floor covering, modern brick fragments, clay pipe, concrete/mortar, a metal bracket, animal bone, concrete, mortar, possible vitrified CBM, shell and pieces of burnt stone, potentially of a later prehistoric date, although analysis of the lithics are needed to confirm this. The pre-19th century pottery does suggest that the site had likely marginal use to more intense activity elsewhere from the 12th century and until the current house was built.

Test Pit five (SOU/15/5)

Test pit five was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a likely 19th or early 20th century end of terrace property that was added to existing original 16th century cottages fronting the High Street in the centre of the town (L.M. Sage Hardware, 10 High Street, Southminster. TQ 95804 99772).

Test pit five was excavated to a depth of 0.6m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

All the pottery excavated from SOU/15/5 dates from the mid-16th century and later as Glazed Red Earthenware and Delft Ware. The vast majority of the pottery found however dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

Figure 7: Location map of SOU/15/5

GRE DW VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 5 1 3 12 1800-1900 5 2 5 42 1800-1900 5 3 1 2 1800-1900 5 4 1 2 1 3 12 32 1550-1900 5 5 2 23 1800-1900 5 6 3 27 1800-1900 5 7 2 9 1550-1600 Table 5: The pottery excavated from SOU/15/5

All the pottery and finds date to after the construction of the 16th century houses fronting the main road through the centre of the village, although it is evident that the site here was not greatly utilised until the 19th century extension; the current house was built and from when the majority of the pottery and finds date to. The finds consist of pieces of tarmac, CBM, mortar, tile, modern tile, slag, coal, slate, oyster shell, animal bone, glass and a wig curler (figure 8) with pieces of possible worked flint that may be of a later prehistoric date. Analysis of the lithics are needed to confirm this.

Figure 8: Wig curler excavated from SOU/15/5, context

four © ACA

Test Pit six (SOU/15/6)

Figure 9: Location map of SOU/15/6

Test pit six was excavated in a large grass field located immediately to the west of a modern house set in the south of the town (57 Kings Road, Southminster. TQ 95521 99341).

Test pit six was excavated to a depth of 0.5m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

Single sherds of Late Bronze Age and Roman Pottery were found from SOU/15/6 with a single sherd of post medieval Glazed Red Earthenware and four sherds of 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

BA RB GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 6 1 1 1 1 1 1550-1900 6 4 1 4 1 3 1200BC-AD400 6 5 3 3 1800-1900 Table 6: The pottery excavated from SOU/15/6

The few finds and pottery that were found from SOU/15/6 suggest that the site has likely always been ‘open’ with little in the way of activity particularly in the post medieval and Victorian eras. The finds consist of CBM, glass, tile, mortar and clay pipe with a three pieces of burnt stone. Single sherds of both Bronze Age and Romano-British pottery were also recorded from context four, suggesting that it may have had limited activity here at those times, perhaps as a wider area of activity north of the River Crouch.

Test Pit seven (SOU/15/7)

Test pit seven was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a likely early 20th century cottage fronting the road in the far south of the town (87 Burnham Road, Southminster. TQ 95552 99278).

Test pit seven was excavated to a depth of 0.6m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

Figure 10: Location map of SOU/15/7 The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/15/7 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, but single sherds of both Glazed Red Earthenware and English Stoneware were also recorded through the test pit.

GRE EST VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 7 1 10 24 1800-1900 7 2 1 8 6 20 1550-1900 7 3 4 10 1800-1900 7 4 8 26 1800-1900 7 5 1 7 1800-1900 7 6 1 7 2 11 1680-1900 Table 7: The pottery excavated from SOU/15/7

The vast majority of both the pottery and finds that were excavated from SOU/15/7 date to the 19th century and later and correspond to the construction of the current house and the land use as an attached garden. The finds consist of CBM, coal, modern tile, glass, iron nails, mortar, concrete, modern nails, animal bone, oyster and whelk shell, slate, pieces of plastic, tarmac, a metal washer, a possible metal cutlery handle and pieces of burnt stone, potentially of a later prehistoric date. The pre-19th century pottery was very limited and suggests that the site was marginal to more intense activity, likely further north, during the medieval and post medieval periods.

Test Pit eight (SOU/15/8)

Figure 11: Location map of SOU/15/8

Test pit eight was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a possible 19th century house set out of town to the south along the main road to Burnham-on-Crouch (Bitch Hunters Cottage, Burnham Road, Southminster. TQ 95577 99088).

Test pit eight was excavated to a depth of 0.5m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A small amount of pottery was found from SOU/15/8, all of which dates from the 15th century and later as Late medieval Colchester ware, Glazed Red Earthenware and as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

LMT GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 8 1 1 3 1550-1900 8 2 1 8 3 5 1400-1900 Table 8: The pottery excavated from SOU/15/8

There was very little in the way of finds and pottery excavated from SOU/15/8 suggesting that the land has always had a marginal use, even after the current house was built that may be in part due to the heavy clay soils on site. It may however always have been an outlying farmstead, during the later medieval and post medieval periods. The few finds identified consist of CBM, coal, slate, iron nails, tile, clay pipe, a squashed metal thimble, animal bone, pieces of scrap metal and burnt stone, the latter of which is likely to be of a later prehistoric date, although analysis of the lithics are needed to confirm this.

Test Pit nine (SOU/15/9)

Test pit nine was excavated within the primary school grounds and close to the southern boundary of the church cemetery. It was also the western of two pits excavated within the school grounds; see also SOU/15/12 (Southminster Church of England Primary School, Burnham Road, Southminster. TQ 95827 99572).

Test pit nine was excavated to a depth of 0.5m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled. Figure 12: Location map of SOU/15/9 The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/15/9 dates to the medieval period as Essex Grey Ware, Mill Green Ware and Late medieval Colchester ware. A small amount of Glazed Red Earthenware and 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares were also found with three sherds of Romano-British pottery.

RB Grey MG LMT GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 9 1 3 4 1800-1900 9 3 2 6 2 20 2 5 3 6 1100-1900 9 4 5 10 5 23 3 16 1100-1550 9 5 3 8 19 73 5 9 9 133 100-1550 Table 9: The pottery excavated from SOU/15/9

The pottery results suggest that there was occupation at SOU/15/9 during the medieval period, perhaps due to its position just south of the central crossroads and the church. It was only from the 16th century onwards, perhaps due to a shift in the settlement pattern of the village that the site likely had more marginal usage until the primary school was built during the later 20th century. A lot of the finds also likely date to the later use of the site either as open fields or the school playground and consist of an L shaped bolt or handle, slag, modern nails, iron nails, CBM, charcoal, brick fragments, clay pipe, pieces of scrap metal, coal, glass, slate, plastic, animal bone, pieces of tights material and plastic tubing with both possible worked flints and burnt stone, suggesting a later prehistoric presence on site, although analysis of the lithics would be needed to confirm this. The three sherds of Romano-British pottery that was also found may be part of a wider spread of Roman activity through the village, as identified by the test pitting strategy, north of the River Crouch.

Test Pit 10 (SOU/15/10)

Test pit 10 was excavated in the north western corner of the King George V playing field, between the tennis court and the pavilion. It was also the northern of two pits excavated here; see also SOU/15/11 (King George V Memorial Playing Fields, Station Road, Southminster. TQ 96001 99517).

Test pit 10 was excavated to a depth of 0.5m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

All the pottery excavated from SOU/15/10 dates to the 16th century and later as Glazed Red Earthenware, Border Ware and Staffordshire Slipware. The majority of the pottery however dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

Figure 13: Location map of SOU/15/10

GRE BW SS VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 10 2 5 25 1800-1900 10 3 1 1 1800-1900 10 4 3 12 1 4 7 11 1550-1900 10 5 1 1 7 31 1650-1900 Table 10: The pottery excavated from SOU/15/10

The excavation of the two test pits on the open fields to the southeast of the church may have likely always been open fields, based on the few pottery finds that were excavated. SOU/15/10 may have been fields through the post medieval in particular, as that seems to be when the finds date from, although there was a peak of activity into the 19th century but that may have been from if this land was used for the disposal of domestic rubbish. The finds consist of tile, CBM, glass, plastic wrappers, scrap pieces of plastic, coal, a USB cable, plastic tubing, a metal washer, metal tacks, a detachable drinks can pull, a coin/token, slate, fragments of brick, glass, part of a small battery pack and burnt stone, the latter of which may be of a later prehistoric date.

Test Pit 11 (SOU/15/11)

Test pit 11 was excavated toward the north western corner of the King George V playing field, just east of the pavilion. It was also the southern of two pits excavated here; see also SOU/15/10 (King George V Memorial Playing Fields, Station Road, Southminster. TQ 96014 99500).

Test pit 11 was excavated to a depth of between 0.45m and 0.48m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/15/11 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, but a small amount of both medieval and post medieval wares Figure 14: Location map of SOU/15/11 were also recorded through the test pit as Mill Green Ware, Staffordshire White Salt-Glazed Stoneware, Glazed Red Earthenware and English Stoneware. An additional six sherds of Roman pottery were also recorded from the test pit.

RB MG SWSG GRE EST VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 11 2 1 4 3 3 1680-1900 11 3 5 23 22 29 100-1900 11 4 6 7 1800-1900 11 5 1 4 2 6 1 5 1 5 1 1 100-1900 Table 11: The pottery excavated from SOU/15/11

Much like the results from SOU/15/10, the pottery and finds excavated from SOU/15/11 suggest that this site has likely always been open fields and marginal to more intense activity elsewhere in the town. . Unlike test pit 10 however, there was evidence here for both medieval and post medieval activity, albeit limited until more intense finds deposition here into the 19th century and later. The finds also excavated were mixed through the test pit with the Victorian pottery and consist of iron nails and bolts, coal, slag, detachable drink can pulls, CBM, glass, tile, clay pipe, pieces of scrap metal and animal bone with both worked flints and burnt stone that may be later prehistoric in date. The presence of a number of Romano-British pottery sherds also indicate activity of that date that may also be part of a wider spread of Roman activity, as identified through the test pitting strategy, north of the River Crouch.

Test Pit 12 (SOU/15/12)

Test pit 12 was excavated within the primary school grounds and close to the southern boundary of the church cemetery. It was also the eastern of two pits excavated within the school grounds; see also SOU/15/9 (Southminster Church of England Primary School, Burnham Road, Southminster. TQ 95834 99566).

Test pit 12 was excavated to a depth of 0.3m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled. Figure 15: Location map of SOU/15/12 A range of both medieval and post medieval wares were recorded from SOU/15/12 and have been identified as Essex Grey Ware, Mill Green Ware, Late medieval Colchester ware, German Stoneware, Glazed Red Earthenware, Harlow Slipware and Staffordshire White Salt-Glazed Stoneware. An additional 11 sherds of 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares were also recorded.

Grey MG LMT GS GRE HSW SWSG VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 12 1 1 1 1 5 1100-1600 12 2 3 12 1 5 3 9 9 18 9 71 1100-1900 12 3 3 8 2 6 1 3 3 78 1 5 2 2 1100-1900 Table 12: The pottery excavated from SOU/15/12

The results from SOU/15/12 support the notion of settlement on site during the medieval period, as identified in the western test pit at the Primary School, SOU/15/9, although the pit here yielded more of a range of post medieval wares suggesting that the site was not completely abandoned at the end of the medieval, although a shift in settlement patterns is evident. A lot of the finds actually date to the more recent activity on site and consist of iron nails, slag, modern tile, slate, glass, clay pipe, coal, CBM, tile and pieces of scrap metal.

3.2 2016 Test Pits (site code SOU/16)

The second year of test pitting in Southminster was undertaken over the 20th and 21st of April when an additional 10 test pits were excavated by 41 Year 9 and Year 12 pupils from William de Ferrers School and The Plume School (school names correct at the time of participation). This brought the total now excavated in the town to 22 and were sited mainly in the north and west of the town with also a few scattered between the 2015 locations on Queen Street, Queenborough Road, North End, Crippelgate, Hall Road and Burnham Road, with an additional pit also excavated on the King George V Playing Fields. These were undertaken as part of the Independent Learning Archaeology Field School (ILAFS), renamed in 2016 from the Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA), run by ACA and funded by Cambridge Admissions Office out of the University of Cambridge.

The excavations were directed by Alison Dickens, with onsite supervision provided by Catherine Collins and John Newman. Paul Blinkhorn analysed the pottery. The test-pits were found by Ron Pratt, mayor of nearby Burnham-on-Crouch and Kay Maudesley, Southminster parish councillor.

Figure 16: Southminster 2016 test pit location map (NB test pits not to scale) © Crown Copyright/database right 2019. An Ordnance Survey/EDINA supplied service 1: 5000

Test Pit one (SOU/16/1)

Test pit one was excavated in the centre of the open front garden of a probable 1700’s cottage fronting the main road through in Southminster in the far west of the town (Cotton’s Cottage, 65 Queen Street, Southminster. TQ 94931 99805).

Test pit one was excavated to a depth of 0.4m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this depth and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

All the pottery excavated from SOU/16 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

VIC Figure 17: Location map of SOU/16/1 TP Cntxt No Wt Date Range 1 1 73 211 1800-1900 1 2 25 101 1800-1900 1 3 29 90 1800-1900 Table 13: The pottery excavated from SOU/16/1

Despite the age of the house there is little evidence for any activity on site prior to the 19th century, and the majority of the finds also excavated from SOU/16/1 date to the 20th century and later and most likely related to the occupation of the current house. The finds consist of tile, CBM, clay pipe, sewer drain fragments, pieces of glass, including a marble, foil, buttons, iron nails and bolts, scrap metal, coal, slate, a slate pencil, central battery cores, mortar, oyster shell and animal bone. An additional 11 pieces of burnt stone were also recorded through the test pit and are likely to be later prehistoric in date, although analysis of the lithics are needed to confirm this.

Test Pit two (SOU/16/2)

Test Pit two was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a cottage fronting the main road in the far west of the town (Wing Cottage, 48 Queen Street, Southminster. TQ 94960 99837).

Test pit two was excavated to depth of c.0.4m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this depth and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

All the pottery excavated from SOU/16/2 dates to the mid-16th century and later as both Glazed Red Earthenware and 19th century ‘Victorian’ Figure 18: Location map of SOU/16/2 wares.

GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 2 1 1 4 9 21 1550-1900 2 2 2 13 32 88 1550-1900 2 3 7 10 1800-1900 Table 14: The pottery excavated from SOU/16/2

Much like the results from SOU/16/1 opposite, the majority of the finds and pottery excavated from SOU/16/2 date to the 19th century and later, potentially when the cottage was built. The finds consist of CBM, tile, clay pipe, glass, iron nails, slag, buttons, cogs, strips of metal, part of a pipe, a valve, coal, slate, plastic, cockle shell and animal bone (some of which was burnt). Prior to the construction of the house the land was likely open fields that had particular use during the 16th century onwards. A single piece of burnt stone was also recorded from context two and may be part of a wider scatter of later prehistoric activity already identified from SOU/16/1 and in proximity to the stream.

Test Pit three (SOU/16/3)

Test pit three was excavated in the enclosed front garden of a grade II listed 16th century house set in the far north of the village (Mead House, 52 Queenborough Road, Southminster. TQ 95810 00091).

Test pit three was excavated to a depth of c.0.5m at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this depth and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

All the pottery excavated from SOU/16/3 dates to the mid-16th century and later with single sherds of both Glazed Red Earthenware and Staffordshire Slipware both recorded. The majority of the pottery found however dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

Figure 19: Location map of SOU/16/3

GRE SS VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 3 1 1 2 6 6 1550-1900 3 2 4 5 1800-1900 3 3 1 3 15 62 1650-1900 3 4 9 10 1800-1900 3 5 2 6 1800-1900 Table 15: The pottery excavated from SOU/16/3

Although only two sherds of post medieval pottery were excavated from SOU/16/3 they relate to the occupation of the house at that time, although it would seem that the majority of the domestic rubbish was deposited to the rear of the property and not in the front garden. This however seemed to change into the 19th century when a lot more disturbance was evident with a mix of finds through the test pit. The finds consist of CBM, clay pipe, tile, glass including a bottle stopper, a metal hook and bracket, coal, mortar/cement and a small piece of plastic.

Test Pit four (SOU/16/4)

Test Pit four was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of 17th century Grade II listed cottage fronting the main road in the far north of the town (4 North End, Southminster. TQ 95933 00091).

Test pit four was excavated to a depth of 0.5m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this depth and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/16/4 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares although a small amount of both medieval and post medieval wares were also recorded. These have been identified as Surrey Whiteware, Late medieval ware, Glazed Red Earthenware and English Stoneware.

Figure 20: Location map of SOU/16/4

SWW LMT GRE EST VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 4 1 1 8 9 43 1550-1900 4 2 3 13 1800-1900 4 3 4 20 1800-1900 4 4 1 2 1 13 1 12 1400-1750 4 5 1 23 2 12 1230-1550 Table 16: The pottery excavated from SOU/16/4

The presence of 13th century and later pottery at SOU/16/4 suggests that there was activity on site prior to the construction of the current house during the 17th century; it is possible that this house replaced an earlier one on the same site. The 17th and 18th century finds are relatively few, with the vast majority dating to the 19th century and later when there was also an increased disturbance across site. The finds consist of tile, CBM, clay pipe, roof tile, glass, iron nails, metal hoops, a one penny coin dated 1983, clothes peg spring, coal, slate, mortar, asbestos, tarmac, mortar, concrete, a possible rubber handle and cockle shell.

Test Pit five (SOU/16/5)

Test pit five was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a likely early 20th century cottage fronting the main road in the far north of the town (Butler Cottage, 17 North End, Southminster. TQ 96115 00000).

Test pit five was excavated to a depth of 0.6m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this depth and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/16/5 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares. Single sherds of Essex Grey Ware, Glazed Red Earthenware and English Stoneware were also recorded through the test pit.

Figure 21: Location map of SOU/16/5

Grey GRE EST VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 5 1 10 23 1800-1900 5 2 1 13 1 3 14 93 1550-1900 5 3 14 98 1800-1900 5 4 1 4 7 53 1680-1900 5 5 6 12 1800-1900 5 6 5 21 1800-1900 Table 17: The pottery excavated from SOU/16/5

The limited pre-19th century finds suggest that there was very little activity on site prior to the changes in land use from likely open fields to housing and the main period of activity was from the 19th century and later when there was also a lot of disturbances evident on site and a mix of finds found through the depth of the test pit. These finds consist of tile, CBM, fragments of brick, sewer drain, clay pipe, glass including a bottle from Burnham-on-Crouch that likely dates from the very early 20th century and may have held mineral water. Also found were coal, slate, iron nails and bolts, slag, strips of metal, a washer, hair clip, horseshoe fragment, part of a spoon, metal wire, a door hook, concrete, tarmac, mortar, animal bone, cockle and oyster shell and a central battery core. Four pieces of burnt stone were also excavated that are likely to be later prehistoric in date and part of a wider spread of prehistoric activity identified through the test pitting strategy in Southminster.

Test Pit six (SOU/16/6)

Test pit six was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a pair of 18th/19th century cottages fronting the main road in the far north and heading out of town (7 Cripplegate, Southminster. TQ 96278 00088).

Test pit six was excavated to a depth of 0.7m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this depth and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/16/6 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, with single sherds of both medieval and post medieval wares also found. These have been identified as Mill Green Ware, Glazed Red Earthenware, Cologne Stoneware and Staffordshire Slipware.

Figure 22: Location map of SOU/16/6

MG GRE WCS SS VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 6 2 1 13 1 4 1 8 30 116 1550-1900 6 3 24 60 1800-1900 6 4 27 78 1800-1900 6 5 1 4 1270-1400 Table 18: The pottery excavated from SOU/16/6

Much like the other test pits excavated in Northend (SOU/16/3 to SOU/16/5), it was during the 19th century and later when the majority of the disturbance and therefore all the finds appear to date. Prior to the construction of the majority of the housing here, the land was generally open fields, although had been in use from the medieval period onwards. A large mix of finds were excavated through the test pit and consist of tile, CBM, brick, clay pipe, glass, coal, slate, iron nails and bolts, foil, a nut, ring pull, shotgun cartridge end, button, a handle, pieces of scrap metal, cockle and oyster shell, mortar, animal bone and concrete.

Test Pit seven (SOU/16/7)

Test pit seven was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a likely early 20th century pair of cottages fronting the main road in the far south of the town (85 Burnham Road, Southminster. TQ 95551 99283).

Test pit seven was excavated to a depth of 0.7m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this depth and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A range of 15th century and later wares were recorded from SOU/16/7 as Late medieval ware, Figure 23: Location map of SOU/16/7 Glazed Red Earthenware, Staffordshire Slipware and English Stoneware. The vast majority of the pottery identified from the test pit however dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

LMT GRE SS EST VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 7 1 1 7 16 48 1400-1900 7 2 6 34 1800-1900 7 3 1 9 30 51 1680-1900 7 4 1 9 1 1 17 30 1400-1900 7 5 1 1 1800-1900 7 6 1 7 3 7 1550-1900 Table 19: The pottery excavated from SOU/16/7

The late medieval pottery that was identified at SOU/16/7 is one of two sites in the far south of the town to yield pot of this date as recorded through the test pitting strategy and suggests that there was a shift in the settlement to the south or the town began to expand from the 15th century. Activity may have been minimal with only limited post medieval finds and it may have been open fields until the current cottages were built. The vast majority of the finds and the level of disturbance seems to reflect the occupation at that time and a mix of finds were found through the depth of the test pit, consisting of clay pipe, CBM, tile, glass, iron nails and bolts, slag, scrap metal, coal, slate, mortar, a plastic tent peg, a plastic button, melted plastic, shell, including oyster and animal bone. An additional eight pieces of burnt stone were also recorded that are likely to be later prehistoric in date (although analysis of the lithics are needed to confirm this) and may indicate the presence of settlement in the south of the town and close to the tributaries of the River Crouch.

Test Pit eight (SOU/16/8)

Test pit eight was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a semi-detached ‘villa’ built in 1896 on a lane centrally in the village and just southwest of the church (Maple Villa, 3 The Chase, Southminster. TQ 95717 99665).

Test pit eight was excavated to a depth of 0.4m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this depth and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/16/8 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares but an additional three sherds of post medieval Glazed Red Earthenware were also found through the test pit.

GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 8 1 13 30 1800-1900 8 2 1 10 18 55 1550-1900 8 4 1 1 39 62 1550-1900 8 5 1 2 2 6 1550-1900 Table 20: The pottery excavated from SOU/16/8 Figure 24: Location map of SOU/16/8 Despite the proximity of SOU/16/8 to the church and the likely core of the original medieval settlement of Southminster, there was little evidence for activity on site prior to the 19th century and the construction of the current house. The limited post medieval activity suggests that the site was likely open fields prior to the villa construction but it was after the house was built when the greatest disturbance on site was noted. A mix of finds were excavated through the depth of the test pit and consisted of tile, CBM, clay pipe, glass, including a bottle stopper, iron nails and bolts, a metal valve, coal, slate, a battery core, sea shell and burnt animal bone. An additional two pieces of burnt stone were also excavated that may be later prehistoric in date and part of a wider prehistoric settlement as identified through the test pitting in Southminster.

Test Pit nine (SOU/16/9)

Test pit nine was excavated on the King George V Playing Field, just along the eastern side of the basketball court and south of the Community Hall (King George V Playing Field, off Station Road, Southminster. TQ 96009 99476).

Test pit nine was excavated to a depth of 0.4m at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this depth and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/16/9 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, although an additional four sherds of Glazed Red Earthenware were also recorded from context three.

GRE VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 9 2 11 26 1800-1900 9 3 4 26 12 25 1550-1900 Figure 25: Location map of SOU/16/9 Table 21: The pottery excavated from SOU/16/9

The open nature of the site at SOU/16/9 means that there was fewer finds excavated here compared to other test pits in 2016 with limited activity also on site during the post medieval, potentially still as open fields. The disturbance on site mainly dates from the 19th century and was found through contexts two and three with a mix of finds consisting of CBM, tile, clay pipe, iron bolts, metal rods, a metal washer/nut, coal, a plastic cat cut-out and a small piece of linoleum. The presence of a single piece of burnt stone also suggests that there may have been later prehistoric activity also on site, although analysis of the lithics are needed to confirm this.

Test Pit 10 (SOU/16/10)

Test pit 10 was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a likely 1700’s building that was extensively rebuilt during the 19th century. The test pit was excavated on the lawn to the south of the building and north of the possible moat remnants (Southminster Hall, Hall Road, Southminster. TQ 96547 99437).

Test pit 10 was excavated to a depth of 0.65m, at which natural was found. Excavations were halted at this depth and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

Two sherds of post medieval pottery were both excavated from context three of SOU/16/10 and have been identified as Glazed Red Earthenware and Delft Ware. Figure 26: Location map of SOU/16/10 GRE DW TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 10 3 1 8 1 2 1550-1650 Table 22: The pottery excavated from SOU/16/10

The likely foundation of a mud stone wall was identified along the western edge of the test pit, orientated north-south (figure 27). Mud stone is found locally and usually dredged from estuaries; in this case most likely the River Crouch. Small fragments of tile were also recorded from within the stone construction with the mortar. Additional finds around and over the wall consisted of tile, CBM, clay pipe, glass, coal, slate, oyster shell and animal bone with the two sherds of 16th-17th century pottery. It is likely that the wall foundations may be medieval in date, perhaps 14th or 15th century and part of a previous structure on the site and closer to the moat to the south. Further work would of course be needed to confirm this.

Figure 27: The wall identified in the section of SOU/16/10 © ACA 30

3.3 2017 Test Pits (site code SOU/17)

The final year of test pit excavations in Southminster were undertaken over the 10th and 11th of May, when a further 10 1m2 archaeological test pits were excavated by 38 Year 9 and Year 12 pupils from The Plume Academy, William de Ferrers School, The Sandon School and Ormiston Rivers Academy (school names correct at time of participation). This brings the total number of pits excavated in Southminster to 32 and were excavated as part of the Independent Learning Archaeology Field School (ILAFS), renamed in 2016 from the Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA), run by ACA and funded by Cambridge Admissions Office out of the University of Cambridge.

The excavations were directed by Alison Dickens, with onsite supervision provided by Catherine Collins, Emily Ryley and Paul Blinkhorn, who also analysed the pottery. The test pits were sited centrally through the town, including sites at the allotments, the care home and along the edges of the King George V playing field as well as in residential gardens. The test- pits were found by Ron Pratt, mayor of nearby Burnham-on-Crouch and Southminster parish councillor John Anderson.

Figure 28: Southminster 2017 test pit location map (NB test pits not to scale) © Crown Copyright/database right 2019. An Ordnance Survey/EDINA supplied service 1: 10,000

Test Pit one (SOU/17/1)

Test pit one was excavated close to the northern boundary of the allotments on a rough area of ground just west of the car parking area. It was also the southern of two test pits excavated here; see also SOU/17/2 (Allotments, Pantile Road, Southminster. TQ 95325 99763).

Test pit one was excavated to a depth of 0.5m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

All the pottery excavated from SOU/17 dates to the mid-15th century and later and has been identified as Glazed Red Earthenware, English Stoneware, Staffordshire White Salt-Glazed Stoneware and as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

Figure 29: Location map of SOU/17/1

GRE EST SWSG VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 1 1 3 10 5 45 1550-1900 1 2 1 1 7 15 1550-1900 1 3 1 3 14 63 1680-1900 1 5 1 2 1 1 1 80 1550-1900 Table 23: The pottery excavated from SOU/17/1

From the finds excavated from SOU/17/1 and the 19th century maps of the settlement, it seems likely that this part of the village has always remained open as fields and marginal to the core of the settlement further east. The pottery suggests that this land has been utilised since the post medieval period and the recent use of the land as allotments has certainly created more disturbance and additional waste may have been created when the houses were built immediately to the north, fronting the road. The mix of finds recorded include modern screws and nails, CBM, tile, charcoal, glass, pieces of Perspex, rubber, plastic, iron nails and bolts, pieces of scrap metal, slate, coal, a metal door hook, slag, mortar, modern tile, clay pipe and oyster shell.

Test Pit two (SOU/17/2)

Test pit two was excavated along the northern boundary of the allotments on a rough area of ground just west of the car parking area. It was also the northern of two test pits excavated here; see also SOU/17/1 (Allotments, Pantile Road, Southminster. TQ 95325 99769).

Test pit two was excavated to a depth of 0.5m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/17/2 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, although a small amount of post medieval wares was also recorded as Glazed Red Earthenware and English Stoneware. A single small sherd of medieval Hedingham Ware was also identified from context three.

Figure 30: Location map of SOU/17/2

HED GRE EST VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 2 1 5 42 1800-1900 2 2 6 56 1 16 17 121 1550-1900 2 3 1 2 1 6 14 97 1200-1900 2 4 2 30 3 4 1550-1900 2 5 6 30 1800-1900 Table 24: The pottery excavated from SOU/17/2

The results from SOU/17/2 were similar to those from SOU/17/1 that was excavated immediately to the south and suggesting that the majority of the activity in this area was from the post medieval and later, but as open fields away from the core of the settlement further east. A higher number of finds were excavated from SOU/17/2 compared to test pit one with also more in the way of 19th century and later pottery, which may be due to its location closer to the back of the houses immediately to the north, suggesting perhaps more rubbish was just deposited ‘over the fence’ into this field. Of course the land now being utilised as allotments also increases the level of disturbances across the site, but also for the first time, there is evidence for high medieval activity on site, albeit with one sherd of pottery. This is however the furthest west in the settlement that medieval activity has been recorded through the test pitting strategy and hints that the core of the village has always been further to the east and around the church and that this area continued to be utilised as open fields. The mix of finds that were excavated through the test pit consist of CBM, tile, slate, charcoal, mortar, concrete, a tent peg, modern nails and screws, pieces of plastic, including wire covering, glass, modern CBM and tile, iron nails and bolts, this pieces of fabric, a metal hook, a metal loop, pieces of scrap metal, animal bone and the base of small clear glass tube. An additional two pieces of 33

burnt stone were also recorded from context two and may be later prehistoric in date, although analysis of the lithics would be needed to confirm this.

Test Pit three (SOU/17/3)

Test pit three was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a modern house set to the south of the church, and adjacent to an old pathway connecting the church and the vicarage further to the south (2 The Chestnuts, Southminster. TQ 95831 99620).

Test pit three was excavated to a depth of 0.5m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints and the presence of a large number of roots, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/17/3 dates to the medieval period as Essex Grey Ware and Late medieval ware, with additional post medieval and later wares also recorded as Glazed Red Earthenware, Staffordshire White Salt-Glazed Stoneware and as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

Figure 31: Location map of SOU/17/3

Grey LMT GRE SWSG VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 3 1 7 48 1800-1900 3 2 1 1 1 13 4 10 1100-1900 3 3 1 9 4 36 1 11 1200-1600 3 4 3 7 6 20 1100-1550 3 5 2 6 2 30 1 3 1400-1750 Table 25: The pottery excavated from SOU/17/3

Evidence for medieval activity was noted here that may be due to the position of the test pit not too far from the southern boundary of the churchyard, although it is also part of a cluster of medieval activity already noted through the test pitting strategy to be the south of the church that suggests there was occupation in this area of the village through the medieval period. A probable change in land use or shift in the focus of settlement, perhaps more towards the current main road and crossroads into the post medieval period meant that this land was likely left open, as fields or just open next to the pathway connecting the church and the vicarage. A large amount of tile and CBM were excavated through the test pit that may hint at the presence of a structure on or close to site during the post medieval period, although additional excavations would be needed to confirm this. Additional finds include slate, coal, oyster shell,

pieces of plastic, glass, clay pipe and scrap metal. Two pieces of burnt stone were also recorded from context two and may hint at the presence of later prehistoric activity on site.

Test Pit four (SOU/17/4)

Test pit four was excavated in the enclosed front garden of a Grade II listed 18th century former house that is currently in use as a nursing home for the elderly. It was also the south- western of two pits to be excavated here; see also SOU/17/5. (Southminster Residential Care Home, Station Road, Southminster. TQ 95968 99712).

Test pit four was excavated to a depth of 0.7m, with half the pit then excavated to a depth of 0.8m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A mix of medieval and later pottery was excavated from SOU/17/4 that has been identified as Essex Grey Ware, Glazed Red Earthenware, Harlow Slipware, English Stoneware and as Figure 32: Location map of SOU/17/4 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares.

Grey GRE HSW EST VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 4 1 2 4 1800-1900 4 2 1 4 3 4 1680-1900 4 3 1 10 1 1 1550-1900 4 4 1 3 1 8 1 1 1100-1900 4 5 4 54 1 11 1 3 1100-1700 4 6 4 14 1200-1400 Table 26: The pottery excavated from SOU/17/4

The results from SOU/17/4 suggest that there was activity on site during the medieval period and that this area may have been part of the core of the settlement at this time that continued into the early post medieval period, after which the land was likely abandoned until the current house was built during the 18th century. The disturbances to the land when the house was built and its subsequent occupation had also disturbed most of the garden as a mix of finds were recorded through the depth of the test pit. These have been identified as CBM, tile, clay pipe, glass, coal, slate, mortar, and a plant tag, pieces of chalk, oyster shell, brick fragments and animal bone. The presence of two possible pieces of worked flint that were found from context five may also hint at the presence of later prehistoric activity on site, although analysis of the lithics would be needed to confirm this.

Test Pit five (SOU/17/5)

Test pit five was excavated in the enclosed front garden of a Grade II listed 18th century former house that is currently in use as a nursing home for the elderly. It was also the north-eastern of two pits to be excavated here; see also SOU/17/4. (Southminster Residential Care Home, Station Road, Southminster. TQ 95984 99724).

Test pit five was excavated to a depth of 0.6m, with half the test pit then excavated to 0.7m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

All the pottery excavated from SOU/17/5 dates to the 15th century and later as Late medieval ware, English Stoneware, Staffordshire White Salt-Glazed Stoneware and as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares. Figure 33: Location map of SOU/17/5

LMT EST SWSG VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 5 1 1 14 1 13 1400-1900 5 3 1 6 1 1 1720-1900 5 4 1 3 1 4 2 30 2 38 1400-1900 5 6 1 2 1800-1900 Table 27: The pottery excavated from SOU/17/5

The results from SOU/17/5 excavated just to the northeast of SOU/17/4, are similar and show that this land was occupied throughout the medieval period, after which a change in land use or shift in the settlement caused the land to become likely open fields, until the current house was built. This area of the garden also has a higher degree of disturbance than test pit four, a larger quantity of finds was excavated through the depth of the test pit and more the finds were modern in nature, perhaps relating to the 20th century extension on the east side of the building; this area may have been utilised for the disposal of the builder’s rubbish. The finds consist of CBM, clay pipe, glass, coal, slate, metal rods, modern nails, a one penny coin dated 1976, a metal button, pieces of plastic, cement, mortar, plaster, brick and tile fragments, plastic wire covering, metal nails, roof lining, oyster shell, slag, plastic cable ties, a plastic wall plug, metal mesh material, modern tile fragments, a metal bracket, spring and wire, polystyrene and a possible sandstone tile fragment. An additional find of three pieces of burnt stone and a single worked flint also suggest that there may have been later prehistoric activity on site, although analysis of the lithics would be needed to confirm this.

Test Pit six (SOU/17/6)

Test pit six was excavated in the enclosed rear garden of a possible 19th century cottage fronting the main road through the town and to the east of the church (The Old Forge, Station Road, Southminster. TQ 95988 99665).

Test pit six was excavated to a depth of 0.6m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/17/6 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, although a range of both medieval and post medieval wares were also recorded. These have been identified as Essex Grey Ware, Late medieval ware, Glazed Red Earthenware, Delft Ware, Staffordshire Slipware, English Figure 34: Location map of SOU/17/6 Stoneware, Staffordshire Manganese Ware and Staffordshire White Salt-Glaze Stoneware.

Grey LMT GRE DW SS EST SMW SWSG VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 6 1 1 2 1 1 1680-1900 6 2 1 1 18 46 1100-1900 6 3 1 2 1 4 1 4 1 1 13 16 1400-1900 6 4 1 6 4 4 1550-1900 6 5 1 11 11 28 1680-1900 6 6 1 1 2 2 8 31 1600-1900 Table 28: The pottery excavated from SOU/17/6

Despite the proximity of this test pit to SOU/17/4 and SOU/17/5 just across the road to the north, and where evidence for medieval activity was noted, the site here seems to have had a more marginal use from the 12th century onwards and potentially as open fields to the east of the core of settlement, until the current house was built during the 19th century. A lot of later disturbance was noted on site, related to the use of the land as a forge, although only a relatively small amount of metal was recorded from the test pit. These include, iron nails (some of which were handmade), metal buttons, pieces of scrap metal, slag, iron bolts, a metal loop, a modern nail and half of a possible horseshoe. The rest of the finds also recorded consist of CBM, tile, a twenty pence coin dated 1998, coal, glass, clay pipe, concrete, pieces of plastic, mortar, animal bone, tarmac and oyster shell. The presence of five pieces of burnt stone may be from work at the old forge, or they could be later prehistoric in date; analysis of the lithics would be needed here.

Test Pit seven (SOU/17/7)

Test pit seven was excavated in the northeast corner of the King George V Playing Field, and close to the gate to the train station car park. It was the northern of four pits excavated on this field; see also SOU/17/8, SOU/17/9 and SOU/17/10 (King George V Playing Field, off Station Road, Southminster. TQ 96143 99492 - Guestimate).

Test pit seven was excavated to a depth of 0.5m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A single sherd of Roman pottery was excavated from SOU/17/7 that was th mixed in with a large amount of 19 Figure 35: Location map of SOU/17/7 century ‘Victorian’ wares.

RB VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 7 1 3 10 1800-1900 7 2 4 12 1800-1900 7 3 1 1 6 12 100-1900 7 4 1 1 1800-1900 Table 29: The pottery excavated from SOU/17/7

The evidence for Roman activity identified at SOU/17/7, albeit limited, may be peripheral to slightly more intense Roman occupation recorded in the west of the King George V playing field and further west into the town, through the test pitting strategy. It seems however that this part of the playing field has always been an open space with limited activity on site, until the railway line was built just to the east of the test pit and the modern disturbances since then. The mix of finds that were recorded through the test pit consist of modern brick fragments, CBM, tile, mortar, slate, coal, glass, metal wire, a metal loop, iron nails, a modern screw, a very degraded one penny coin (no date visible), a thin strip of metal, pieces of tarmac, plastic, a sewer drain fragment, a metal nut, pieces of scrap metal and oyster shell. The presence of both worked flints and burnt stone that were also recorded, hint at potentially a significant area of later prehistoric activity, although analysis of the lithics would be needed to confirm this.

Test Pit eight (SOU/17/8)

Test pit eight was excavated along the eastern edge of the King George V Playing Field, and adjacent to the railway line. It was the eastern of four pits excavated on this field; see also SOU/17/7, SOU/17/9 and SOU/17/10 (King George V Playing Field, off Station Road, Southminster. TQ 96129 99457 - Guestimate).

Test pit eight was excavated to a depth of 0.6m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

A single sherd of Iron Age pottery was excavated from the lower context of SOU/17/8 and both Late medieval ware and 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares were excavated from the upper context.

Figure 36: Location map of SOU/17/8

IA LMT VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 8 3 2 4 6 7 1400-1900 8 5 1 5 800-100BC Table 30: The pottery excavated from SOU/17/8

The sherd of Iron Age pottery found here at SOU/17/8 is the first to be recorded in Southminster through the test pitting strategy; Bronze Age activity was identified further to the west. Ten pieces of burnt stone were also recovered here from the lower half of the test pit that further supports the notion of this field being a site for later prehistoric activity. Much fewer finds were actually found from this test pit compared with SOU/17/7 just to the north that may be due to its location away from the field entrance, although for the first time there was evidence for 15th century activity here, albeit still limited. As before though the rest of the activity dates from the 19th century and later when the railway was built just to the east and the finds that were excavated consist of a modern nail, a metal rod, animal bone, glass, a tiny piece of plastic, clay pipe, CBM, tile, a lump of scrap metal and a piece of coal.

Test Pit nine (SOU/17/9)

Test pit nine was excavated along the southern edge of the King George V Playing Field, and just west of the outdoor gym. It was the southern of four pits excavated on this field; see also SOU/17/7, SOU/17/8 and SOU/17/10 (King George V Playing Field, off Station Road, Southminster. TQ 95976 99328 - Guestimate).

Test pit nine was excavated to a depth of 0.7m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, excavations were halted at this level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled. Figure 37: Location map of SOU/17/9

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/17/9 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares, although a single sherd of medieval Hedingham Ware was also identified from context four.

HED VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt Date Range 9 2 1 1 1800-1900 9 3 1 1 1800-1900 9 4 1 6 9 6 1200-1900 9 7 7 8 1800-1900 Table 31: The pottery excavated from SOU/17/9

The presence of medieval pottery from SOU/17/9 in the south of the King George V playing field follows on from previous years’ excavations close to the cabins in the northwest of the field, from which high medieval pottery was also identified and suggests that the activity then extended south, rather than to the west (this is also confirmed by the presence of medieval pottery from SOU/17/10 – see below). After which there is again little in the way of activity on site, until the 19th century, but modern finds have also been found suggesting that this field still experiences some degree of disturbances even today. The finds consist of a plastic wrapper, concrete, modern tile fragments, CBM, glass, coal, slag, tile, a long metal rod, an iron nail, pieces of scrap metal, clay pipe and a few pieces of plastic. The presence of a single burnt stone and a single worked flint also suggest that the later prehistoric activity identified elsewhere on the field extends to the south here.

Test Pit 10 (SOU/17/10)

Test pit 10 was excavated in the south-western corner of the King George V Playing Field, and just west of SOU/17/9. It was also the south-western of four pits excavated on this field; see also SOU/17/7, SOU/17/8 and SOU/17/9 (King George V Playing Field, off Station Road, Southminster. TQ 95954 99331 - Guestimate).

Test pit 10 was excavated to a depth of 0.4m. Natural was not found, but due to time constraints, Figure 38: Location map of SOU/17/10 excavations were halted at the level and the test pit was recorded and backfilled.

The vast majority of the pottery excavated from SOU/17/10 dates as 19th century ‘Victorian’ wares although a small number of medieval and post medieval wares were also recorded. These have been identified as Hedingham Ware, Late medieval ware, Glazed Red Earthenware and Staffordshire Slipware.

HED LMT GRE SS VIC TP Cntxt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt No Wt Date Range 10 1 1 3 10 24 1550-1900 10 2 1 5 1 4 10 31 1400-1900 10 3 1 4 1 1 5 31 1200-1900 10 4 3 4 1800-1900 Table 32: The pottery excavated from SOU/17/10

As mentioned above, the medieval pottery excavated from SOU/17/10 may have been an extension of the activity noted in previous years further to the north, perhaps relating to strip farming methods that were common at that time. Evidence for post medieval activity was also noted here, although again minimal, and also follows on the same pattern for the medieval activity, i.e. only in the western half of this field. There was a large amount of 19th century and later disturbance that again may be due to its location in the corner of the field, which perhaps may have been more suited to rubbish disposal being off to the side. The finds excavated from the test pit include a Mini Cheddars food bag with a best before date of the 7th December 1996, a plastic wrapper, animal bone, CBM, coal, slate, glass, iron nails and bolts, a metal nut, tile and a number of pieces of slag that with slag found in SOU/17/9, may hint that this was close to an area of metal working in the past. A single piece of burnt stone was also found that may be later prehistoric in date, and part of the wider area identified through the test pitting strategy in this area.

4 Conclusions

The 32 archaeological test pits that were excavated in Southminster between 2015 and 2017 have yielded archaeological evidence for settlement in the parish dating from the Late Bronze Age through to the modern day. All the test pit results have also added to the ‘bigger picture’ of the development of Southminster, and the Dengie peninsula, as well as providing new insight into the level of archaeological remains that are still present under the town.

A single small sherd of later Bronze Age pottery (4g) was found during the test pitting strategy at SOU/15/6, sited along King’s Road in the south of the town. The area around this test pit is located on the edge of higher ground, rising to the west and overlooking the marshes to the east. The presence of multiple lithics that were also recorded through a large number of the test pits, consisting of either as worked flints or burnt stone or both that although at the time of writing have not been analysed by a specialist, are also likely to be of a later prehistoric date, perhaps Neolithic or Bronze Age and hints at just how widely this landscape was utilised during prehistory, particularly along the marsh edge. This notion is supported by the presence of multiple field boundaries, enclosures, ring ditches and trackways that are already recorded on the Essex Historic Environment Record (EHER) for Southminster and although these remain undated, their origins could be routed in prehistory.

Evidence for Iron Age activity in Southminster was also limited to just a single sherd of pottery (5g) and found from a test pit sited on the King George V memorial playing field, SOU/17/8, along its eastern boundary. Again, due to the limited nature of the results, this can only hint at the presence of activity here of this date, and it may even have derived from agricultural activities such as manuring. It is also possible that the pottery here could again be part of a large utilisation of this landscape during later prehistory, as a possible Iron Age earthwork has been recorded on the HER in Pandole Wood (SMR No. 11374), on the eastern edge of town and actually just to the northeast of SOU/17/8. A larger hillfort encampment is also known just to the north of Southminster on the northern side of the Asheldham Brook and within Asheldham village itself (SMR No. 12051). It is probably of an Early Iron Age date, but the plateau upon which it is sited has also revealed evidence for Bronze Age, Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon activity as well.

Romano-British pottery was found from four of the 32 test pits and two of these pits (SOU/15/11 and SOU/17/7) were on the King George V playing field, potentially as a continuation of the Iron Age activity also identified here. A couple of sherds were also found from SOU/15/9 just to the west, maybe as an extension of the main area of Roman activity identified through the test pitting strategy. It may have been from this area that the Roman brick utilised in the construction of the church (SMR No. 11249) was also collected from, although a larger excavation in this area would be needed to identify any potential settlement here. The last test pit to produce pottery of this date is SOU/15/6, from which just a single small sherd was found and hinting instead at this part of the village, even further to the west, may have been open fields to a nearby settlement.

It is perhaps surprising that there was no Anglo-Saxon material excavated from any of the 32 test pits in Southminster, particularly as the settlement was the site of an Anglo-Saxon Minster, the site of which is believed to have been under the medieval 12th century church of St Leonard (SMR No. 11250) and Southminster got its name to distinguish it from the older minster site to the north at Bradwell (SMR No. 19417). Southminster was also recorded in the Domesday Book so there would have been an extensive settlement here by the Late Anglo-Saxon period and the original historic settlement here was believed to have been focused around the site of the Minster church and probably the High Street, where there would have been a market area as well as outlying farmsteads (SMR No. 19416). It may be that because no test pits were able to be excavated along the High Street itself, which today consists of a number of different 42

shops and businesses, the original Anglo-Saxon settlement at Southminster was potentially in the areas not investigated by the test pitting strategy, although of course additional archaeological investigations are needed to confirm this.

Material dating to after the Norman Conquest into the high medieval was found much more extensively through the test pits, with the focus of the medieval settlement likely expanding from its original position along the High Street to the east of the church on Station Road. Eleven of the 32 test pits produced pottery from this central area and south of the church, hinting that the medieval settlement of Southminster may have been more extensive than previously thought. The outlying test pits that also yielded high medieval pottery (SOU/17/2, SOU/16/4, SOU/16/5, SOU/16/6 and SOU/15/1) to the west, north and east of this area respectively contained only single sherds and so likely derived from agricultural activities such as manuring of the fields surrounding the settlement at that time.

Into the later medieval, the results suggest that there was a likely shift in the settlement during the 14th century, rather than a large contraction which has been seen elsewhere in Essex through ACA’s test pitting strategy and was likely due to the various socio-economic factors of that time, including the Black Death. Nine of the test pits yielded later medieval pottery from the centrally defined area along Station Road and to the south which shows a continuation of settlement in this general area, albeit with a contraction of activity from both the east and west and a new area of settlement defined for the first time to the south, with both SOU/16/7 and SOU/15/8 both yielding later medieval pottery and much more limited activity to the north.

The settlement expanded again during the post medieval period with activity noted along its current length, as well as to the north and south with varying amounts of post medieval material recorded from all but three of the test pits on the King George V playing field (SOU/17/9, SOU/17/8 and SOU/17/7) and one of the far western test pits (SOU/16/1). These results do support what has already been recorded on the HER, including one of the earliest maps of Southminster showing that the focus of the settlement during the early post medieval period was along the High Street and the junction of North Street and Burnham Road. The post medieval material recorded in test pits away from this central away probably relate to the known outer-lying farmsteads that were also seen on the estate map of 1610 (SMR No. 19416).

Into the 19th century, Southminster was already considered to be a small town, aided by the arrival of the Southminster Branch Railway Line, which also terminated here, during the late 19th century (SMR No. 40545). 19th century material was found from all but the two test pits excavated at Southminster Hall (SOU/15/1 and SOU/16/10) and hints that this period saw rapid growth for the settlement, which only continued through the 20th century, from which time the majority of the houses in Southminster date from and the town had taken its layout and appearance which is still being expanded upon today.

5 Maps

Much of the value of the test pit data from currently occupied rural settlements are derived from a holistic consideration across the entire settlement. Maps showing a range of the data from the test pit excavations in Southminster between 2015 and 2017 are included below.