Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex

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1 FINGRINGHOE BALLAST QUARRY, 1 COLCHESTER, ESSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL 1 MONITORING & RECORDING 1 r I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS LTD

FINGRINGHOE BALLAST QUARRY, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING & RECORDING 1

1 Authors : Kate Doyle BA NGR: TM 0320 2005 ReportNo. 1884

District : Maldon Site Code: FIBQ.05 Approved: Claire Halpin MIFA ProjectNo. 1328

Signed : Date : Nov 2005 1

This report is confidential to the client . Archaeological Solutions Ltd accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report , or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

Archaeological Solutions Ltd, 98-100 Fore Street, Hertford,SGI4 lAB Tel: 01992 558170 Fax: 01992 553359 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.arch-sol.co.uk Registered Number: 4702122 ©Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2005

LIST OF CONTENTS

OASIS SUMAIARY SHEET

SUMMARY

1 INTRODUCTION

2 SITE DESCRIPTION

3 TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY & SOILS

4 ARCHAEOLGOICAL & HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

1 5 PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS 1 6 METHODOLOGY 7 DESCRIPTION OFRESULTS

8 CONFIDENCE RATING

9 DEPOSIT MODEL

10 DISCUSSION

DEPOSITION OF ARCHIVE 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS REFERENCES

APPENDICES 1 1 ESSEX HERITAGE CONSERVATION RECORD/ESSEX ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY SUMMARY SHEET 2 DOCUMENTARYARCHIVE FORM 3 CONCORDANCE OF FEATURES 4 CONCORDANCE OF FINDS 1 5 FINDS REPORT

Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex 2 ©Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2005 1 OASIS SUMMARY SHEET Pro'ect details 1 Pro'ect name Fin rin hoe Ballast uar , Colchester, Essex Project description (250 words)

In April 2005, Archaeological Solutions Ltd (AS) undertook a programme of archaeological monitoring and recording at Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex (NGR TM 0320 2005). The site formed part of the larger Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry complex, which has been subject to a fieldwork evaluation and, more recently, a trial trench evaluation. Whilst the fieldwalking revealed post-medieval tile, single sherds of medieval and Saxon pottery, and small quantities of struck and burnt flint from the site, the trial trench evaluation revealed features, which were mostly undated, and comprised pits, post holes and ditches. Two urned cremations were unexpectedly revealed during the evaluation, and were dated to the Romano-British period.

1 In addition to two boundary ditches on the western side of Tower Field and numerous tree hollows, the programme of archaeological monitoring and recording in Tower Field revealed an undated pit and ditches, all but one of the latter were undated. A large quantity of oyster shells were contained in the pit, and a single Romano-British sherd of Southern British grog tempered ware, which was dated to 100 BC - AD 100, was derived from a ditch.

Pro'ect dates (fieldwork) A ri12005 Previous work (Y/N/?) Y Futurework (Y/N/?) N P. number 1328 Site code FIB .05 T e of ro'ect Archaeolo ical monitorin & recordin Site status Current land use uar Planned develo ment Gravel extraction Main features (+dates) Five ditches, one undated it Si ' cant finds (+dates) A sherd o Southern British ro tem ered ware otte , o ster shells Pro'ect location Coun / District/ Parish Essex Maldon Fin rin hoe HER/ SMR for area Post code (if known) Area of site 27, 000m s . NGR TM 0320 2005 Hei ht AOD (max/ min) 25m AOD Pro'ect creators Brief issued b ECC HAMP Pro'ect su ervisor/s (PO) Archaeolo ical Solutions Funded b Fin rin hoe Ballast uar

1 Full title Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex ; archaeological monitorin & recordin Authors Do le, K Report no. 1884

Date (of re ort) November 2005

Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex 3 ©Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2005

FINGRINGHOE BALLAST QUARRY, COLCHESTER, ESSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL MONITORING & RECORDING

1 SUMMARY In April 2005, Archaeological Solutions Ltd (AS) undertook a programme of archaeological monitoring and recording at Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, 1 Essex (NGR TM 0320 2005). The site formed part of the larger Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, which has been subject to a fieldwork evaluation and, more recently, a trial trench evaluation. Whilst the fieldwalking revealed post-medieval tile, sherds of medieval and Saxon pottery, and small quantities of struck and burnt flint from the site, the trial trench evaluation revealed features, which were mostly undated, and comprised pits, post holes and ditches. Two urned cremations were unexpectedly revealed during the evaluation, and were dated to the Romano British period.

1 In addition to two boundary ditches on the western side of Tower Field and numerous tree hollows, the programme of archaeological monitoring and recording in Tower Field revealed an undated pit and ditches, all but one of the latter were undated A large quantity of oyster shells were contained in the pit, and. a single Romano British sherd of Southern British grog tempered ware, which was dated to 100 BC - AD 100, was from the fill of a ditch. Two of the ditches were curvilinear and may represent the remains of an enclosure. No associated features were identified and the dating evidence is sparse (a single RB sherd).

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 In April 2005, Archaeological Solutions Ltd (AS) undertook a programme of archaeological monitoring and recording at Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex (NGR TM 0320 2005) (Figs. 1 & 2). The work was commissioned by Matthews & Son Chartered Surveyors, on behalf of the quarry, and in advance of proposals to extract minerals. The monitoring and recording followed two phases of archaeological evaluation conducted at Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry (Crank & Murray 2000, Eddisford 2004).

1.2 The monitoring and recording was conducted in accordance with a brief issued by the Heritage Advice, Management and Promotion Group (HAMP) of Essex County Council, (Pat Connell, dated 01/04), and a written scheme of investigation (WSI) compiled by AS (dated 22/02/04).

1.3 The programme of archaeological monitoring and recording complied with the Gurney, D. 2003, Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England EAA Occasional Paper 14. It was also conducted according to the Institute of Field Archaeologists' (IFA) Code of Conduct and Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Watching Briefs (revised 1999). All stages of the project were also undertaken according to the guidelines of MAP2 (English Heritage 1991).

Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex 4 ©Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2005

1.4 As set out in the brief, the programme of archaeological monitoring and recording was concerned with the recovery of information regarding the extent, date, 1 phasing, character, function, status and significance of any surviving archaeological remains on the site. The programme of works undertaken included • archaeological monitoring of soil stripping for the development on the site, • mitigation by a programme of archaeological excavation and recording, if archaeological remains were present. 1

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE (Figs. 1 & 2)

2.1 The site is located within the parish of Fingringhoe, and the Essex county district of Maldon. The core of the historic city of Colchester is located c. 6km to the north-west, although the south-eastern extent of the settlement lies only 3km from Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry. Approximately 1.80km north-north-east of the site lies the town of Wivenhoe, whilst the smaller settlement of Rowhedge is situated 1.40km northwards. The site is also located c. 400m to the south-east of Fingringhoe village, whilst the larger village of High Park Corner is situated 800m to the north-east. 1 2.2 Located between the villages of Fingringhoe and High Park Corner is Abberton Road, which runs c. 380m northwards of the site. The western and eastern boundaries of the site are delineated by field boundaries, whilst the majority of the southern boundary of the site is bounded by Furneaux Lane, which runs between Fingringhoe and two farms; Jaggers and South Green. The site, which is roughly rectangular in shape, measures c. 200m in length by a maximum 150m in width, and has an area of c. 27,000m2.

3 TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY & SOILS

3.1 The site is situated on the gravel terrace of the River Colne, which is located 1.50km to the north-east. One of the tributaries to the River Colne, the Roman River, lies 600m north-west of the site, just beyond the village of Fingringhoe. To the south of the site lies an area characterised by marshland, saltings and creeks, as land leads towards Mersea Island and the Blackwater. North Geedon Creek, for example, is situated barely 1km to the south of the site.

3.2 This area of mineral extraction has a relatively flat relief, with an average height of c. 25m AOD. Beyond the extent of the quarry, the land slopes gently to the north- 1 west and north-east, to form the relatively shallow valleys of the Roman River and the River Colne respectively.

3.3 The site is located on glaciofluvial drift of the gravel terrace of the River Colne, which overlies Eocene clay. Overlying both the clay and drift geology, however, are soils of the Wix association (SSEW 1983). Such soils are described as deep permeable coarse loamy soils affected by groundwater. Wix association soils are associated with well drained sandy and coarse loamy soils with some slowly permeable seasonally 11

Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex 5 ©Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2005 1 waterlogged fine loamy over clayey and clayey soils giving patterned ground locally. Soils of the Wix association are also at slight risk of water erosion.

4 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

4.1 Prehistoric Remains

Aerial photography has revealed probable archaeological features to be present immediately adjacent to the site, though none have been identified within the site itself. These features include an enclosure, possible ring ditches and linear features, which are suggested to date broadly to the prehistoric period (EHCR 2270-2 &2601). Brown & Murphy (in Brown & Glazebrook, 2000), suggest that the central issue for the region during the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods is the continuing need to address the development of farming, and the attendant development and integration of monuments, fields and settlements.

4.2 Romano -British Remains

A bridleway and former road, which is located within the extent of Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry and 200m south of the site, has been suggested, on account of its form, to be of Roman origin. This suggestion has not yet been investigated by excavation. For the Roman period, Going (in Glazebrook, 1997) notes that even the main Roman trunk road network has had little work undertaken recently, and that smaller secondary or local routes are almost wholly unexplored.

4.3 Saxon Remains

A Saxon settlement or funerary site lies close by to the site, to the south towards South Green Farm. It was identified from a scatter of iron objects, such as brooches, a coin and a pin, although no excavation has taken place to define its character (EHCR 1 17585, 17633, 17635/7 & 17640). As Wade (in Glazebrook, 1997) notes, the most important evidence of population distribution throughout the region in the last 20 years has come from the many objects identified from metal detecting.

5 PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS

5.1 An archaeological evaluation by fieldwalking was previously carried out at 1 Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry by HAT (now AS) (Murray & Crank 2000). The fieldwalking was undertaken both on the present site of Tower Field, which was also subject to the archaeological monitoring and recording, and the larger agricultural field to the immediate south-west of the site. The field walking obtained a large quantity of tile from the site, predominantly roof tile of post-medieval date.

5.2 Sparse pottery sherds were also recovered during the fieldwalking, in particular a medieval sherd is derived from the northern land parcel, namely the present Tower Field site, and an undiagnostic Saxon sherd was found close to the western boundary of the main southern application area. The fieldwalking similarly revealed small

Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex 6 ©Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2005 quantities of struck and burnt flint from the site. Several tool types were recognisable, and included two retouched blades of early Neolithic date. Other flints appeared to be characteristic of the later Neolithic, Bronze Age and Beaker periods. While the struck 1 flint appeared to be slightly concentrated in the central part of the main southern application area, they were not necessarily contemporary. Periods represented by the flint comprise the early Neolithic, later Neolithic/Bronze Age and the Beaker period, perhaps suggesting that the site, or vicinity, attracted a number of early settlers.

5.4 A second stage of archaeological evaluation encompassed the south-western 1 field, and comprised the excavation 12 trial trenches measuring between 45 - 50m in length (Eddisford 2004). The trenches focussed on the results of the fieldwalking. It revealed features most of which were undated, and comprised pits, post holes and ditches. Two ?tree hollows were revealed in Trench 1. Two urned Romano-British cremations were unexpectedly revealed during the evaluation. Although the road which forms the southern boundary of the evaluation site had been suggested to be of Roman origin, the fieldwalking had not revealed Roman finds, and such remains are not prolific locally. 1

6 METHODOLOGY 1

6.1 The archaeological monitoring and recording was conducted in accordance with the brief and WSI, and conformed to the relevant IFA guidelines, and the document Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England (Gurney 2003).

6.2 The topsoil was removed mechanically using a 3-tonne tracked 360° excavator. Deposits were recorded using pro forma recording sheets, drawn to scale and photographed as appropriate. Excavated spoil was searched for finds and the trenches were scanned by metal detector, where appropriate.

7 DESCRIPTION OF RESULTS

Tower Field

0.00m - 0.30m L1000 To soil. Dark brown sand loam 0.30m - 0.60m L1001 Subsoil. Reddish brown sand silt 0.60m + L1002 Natural. Red & ale brown sand Table 1 Stratigraphy of Tower Field

Description: The monitoring revealed an undated pit and ditches, all but one of latter 1 were undated. Ditch F1515 contained a single Romano British pottery sherd of Southern British grog tempered ware, which was dated to 100 BC - AD 100. In addition the monitoring revealed two boundary ditches on the western side of Tower Field and numerous tree hollows.

Ditch F1500 (dimensions: 0.72m width x 0.26m depth) was linear with relatively steep sides giving was to a rounded base. It was orientated E/W and located on the western side of the site. It was cut into the subsoil, L1001. It contained two fills, neither of

Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex 7 ©Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2005

which contained finds. The primary fill, L1501, was a mid yellow grey silty sand with occasional sub angular flint pebbles. The upper fill, L1502, was a mid yellow grey brown silty sand with moderate sub angular flint pebbles.

Ditch F1503 (dimensions: 0.68m width x 0. 17m depth) was linear with irregular sides giving way to a rounded base. It was orientated NNW/SSE, and was located in the northern sector of the site. Like Ditch F1500 it cut the subsoil. Its fill varied throughout its length:

Fill Slot Description Finds L1504 A Mid yellow grey brown silty None = L1506 sand with moderate sub angular flint ebble L1505 B Dark grey brown silty sand None primary fill with occasional sub angular flint pebbles & fre uent charcoal flecks L1506 B Mid yellow grey brown silty None = L1504 sand upper fill with moderate sub angular flint pebbles & occasional charcoal flecks L1507 C Mid grey brown silty sand with None moderate sub angular flint ebble Table 2 Fills of Ditch F1503

Ditch F1508 (dimensions: 1.02m width x 0.20m depth) was linear with relatively shallow sides giving was to a rounded base. It was orientated NW/SE, and located in the north-eastern corner of the site. It was truncated during the stripping of the topsoil. It contained no finds. Its fill, L1509, was a mid brown grey silty sand with moderate sub angular flint pebble.

Pit F1510 (dimensions: 3.25m length x 0.93m width x 0.23m depth) was oval in plan, 1 with relatively steep sides giving was to a roundedbase . It cut the subsoil. It contained two fills. The primary fill, L1511, was a mid yellow brown grey silty sand with occasional sub angular flint pebbles. The upper fill, L 1512, was a mid brown grey silty sand. It contained frequent oyster shells constituting over 50% of the fill (229, 1487g).

Ditch F1513 (dimensions: 4.20m width x 0.24m depth) was curvilinear in plan, with 1 relatively steep sides giving was to a flat base. The ditch formed a large arc in the south-eastern corner of the site. It cut the smaller and narrower Ditch F1515, which adhered to the same orientation. Ditch F1513 contained a single fill which did not contain any finds. The fill, L1514, was a light grey brown silty sand.

Ditch F1515 (dimensions: 0.58m width x 0.25m depth) was curvilinear in plan, with moderately sloping sides giving was to a concave base. It was cut by the larger ditch, F1513. F1515 contained a single fill, L1516, which was a light grey brown silty sand. It contained a single sherd of Romano-British Southern British grog tempered ware dated to 100 BC - AD 100 (3g).

Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex 8 ©Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2005

8 CONFIDENCE RATING

8.1 It is not felt that any factors inhibited the recognition of archaeological features or finds during the archaeological monitoring and recording. 1 9 DEPOSIT MODEL

9.1 The natural red and pale brown sand (L1002) lay at a depth of 0.60m. It was commonly overlain by a reddish brown sandy silt subsoil (L1001; 0.30m thick). The latter was overlain by a dark brown sandy loam topsoil (L1000; 0.30m thick). All of the features recorded during the monitoring cut the subsoil.

10 DISCUSSION

10.1 The monitoring recovered a large quantity of oyster shells from the upper fill (L1512) of Pit F1510. A single Romano-British sherd of Southern British grog 1 tempered ware, which was dated to 100 BC - AD 100, was derived from Ditch F 1515 (L1516). In addition to two boundary ditches on the western side of Tower Field and numerous tree hollows, the monitoring revealed a single undated pit and ditches, all but one of the later were undated.

10.2 F1510 was a discrete feature with no associated features nearby. The upper fill, L1512, of the pit contained a large quantityof shells, mostly oyster shells. There is evidence for the exploitation of shellfish for food from the prehistoric period onwards 1 (see Phillips, Shell Report, below).

10.3 Ditches F 1513 and F 1515 were curvilinear and may represent the remains of an enclosure. No associated features were evident, and the dating evidence is sparse (a sherd of RB pottery).

DEPOSITION OF ARCHIVE

The archive will be deposited with Colchester museum, and will be prepared in accordance with the UK Institute for Conservation's Conservation Guideline No. 2. Archive records, with inventory, are to be deposited, as well as any donated finds from the site, at the local museum and in accordancewith their requirements.The archive will be quantified, ordered, indexed, cross-referenced and checked for internal consistency . In addition to the overall site summary, it will be necessary to produce a summary of the artefactual and ecofactual data.

Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester , Essex 9 ©Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2005

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Archaeological Solutions Ltd would like to thank Fingringhoe Quarry for their co- operation and funding of the evaluation. Thanks are also due for their assistance on site, in particular Mr John Birkin. As is pleased to acknowledge their agent, Matthews & Son Chartered Surveyors, in particular Mr Simon Tracey for his assistance.

AS would also like to acknowledge staff at ECC HAMP for their advice and in put, 1 particularly Messrs Pat Connell and Richard Havis.

REFERENCES

Brown N and Glazebrook J (2000) Research and Archaeology: A Framework for the Eastern Counties 2: Research Agenda Strategy. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper 8

Crank, N. & Murray, J. 2000 Land south of Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, 1 Essex; an archaeological evaluation. HAT Report No. 774 Eddisford, D. 2004 Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry; an archaeological evaluation. AS Report No. 1631

Glazebrook, J (ed.), 1997, Research and Archaeology: A Framework for the Eastern Counties. 1. Resource Assessment, East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Papers 3

Gurney (2003) Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England

Institute of Field Archaeologists 1999 Standard and Guidance for Archaeological Excavation. IFA, Reading

Soil Survey of England and Wales, 1983 Sheet 6: Soils of South East England. (Scale 1:250 000) Harpenden 1

Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex 10 CArchaeological Solutions Ltd 2005

APPENDIX 1 ESSEX HERITAGE CONSERVATION RECORD/ESSEX ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY SUMMARY SHEET

Site name/Address: Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex

Parish: Fingringhoe District: Maldon

1 NGR: TM 0320 2005 Site Code: FIB Q.05

Type of Work: Archaeological monitoring & Site Director/Team: Archaeological Solutions 1 recordin Ltd Date of Work: April 2005 Size ofArea Investigated: 27, 000m sq.

Location of finds/Curating Museum: AS, Funding Source: Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry 1 pending deposition with Colchester Museum Further seasons anticipated: ? Related EHCR Nos: 2270-2, 2601, 17585, 17633, 17635/7 & 17640 Final Report: Doyle, K. 2005, Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex; archaeological monitoring and recording. AS Report No. 1884

Periods Represented: Romano-British & undated

SUMMARY OF FIELD WORK RESULTS:

In addition to two boundary ditches on the western side of Tower Field and numerous tree hollows, the monitoring and recording in Tower Field revealed an undated pit and ditches, all but one of which were undated. A large quantity of oyster shells were contained in the pit, and. a single Romano-British sherd of Southern British grog tempered ware, which was dated to 100 1 BC - AD 100, was derived from the fill of a ditch. Previous Summaries /Reports : Murray , J & Crank, N, 2000 , Land South of Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry , Colchester, Essex , HAT Report 774 & Eddisford , D. 2004 Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry; an archaeological evaluation . AS Report No. 1631

Author of Summary : Doyle, K. Date of Summary: Nov 2005

Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex 11 ©Archaeological Solutions Ltd 2005

APPENDIX 2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS DOCUMENTARY ARCHIVE FORM

Site Details Coun : Essex Museum: Site Code : FIB .05 AS Pro'ect Number: 1328 I Site Name: Fin ' oe Ballast ua Colchester,Essex NGR: TM 0320 2005 Accession Number: Site T e: Momtorin & Recordin Date of Work: A ril 2005 Plannin Ref: SMR No: Related Work: Fin ' oe Ballast u evaluations t Brief Descri tion of Documenta Archive: 1 rin binder Brief Finds Descri tion Quanti & Date : 1 otte sherd Ownershi Form Returned: Archive De osited:

Introduction Briefs S ecification/i". 1 Date Present Date Present 01/04 Y 22/02/04 Y

A: Re orts Re ort T e Re ort No Present Fieldwalkin evaluation 774 Y

B: Prim ' Site Records Total No. of Files: 1 ring binder Total No. of Site Drawing Sheets: 2 sheets Location of A4 Files (Tick) Finds Room: Corridor: Material Present Details - Site Notes Y Context Register Y 1 sheet Context Sheets Y 17 sheets Levels Sheets Site Drawin s Plan/Section Register Y 1 sheet Plan Sheets Section Sheets 1 Combined Plan/Section Sheets Y 1 sheet Other Site Drawin s Di 'tal Plans Plans Data

C: Finds Data

Small Finds Register FindsConcordance Finds Box List X-Rays Conservation Photo Plates Conservation Lab Sheets Other Finds Information (Give Details 1 S ecialist Finds Re orts Material Re ort T e Re ort Present S ecialist Archive Material Give Details 1

D: Site Photo ra hs Photo ra hic Re 'ster Present Di 'tal Photo Re 'ster Present Y Black & White 35mm . Film No Ne ative Nos Shot Nos Contact Sheet Present Ne atives Present 1 Colour Slides Film No Ne ative Nos Shot Nos Present 1 1 Di 'tal Photos Shot Nos Files Present Hard Copies Present 11 1-5

E: Environmental Data Sample Register Present : Y Sample Sheets Present: Processing Register Present: Sieving Sheets Present: Sample Concordance Present: S ecialist Environmental Re orts Material Re ort T e Re ort Present S ecialist Archive Material Give Details 1 F: Documentary Records, Press & Publicity ; G: Relevant Correspondence ; H: Miscellaneous F; Two sheets of archaeological monitoring & recording forms 1

Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry , Colchester , Essex 13 The Shell from Fingeringhoe Quarry , Essex (FIBQ.05) By Carina Phillips MA

Shell was excavated from the upper fill of Pit F1510 L1512. Oyster shell (Ostrea edulis) is most common. A total of 236 fragments were recovered, derived from a 1 minimum of 82 oysters. A diverse oyster population was noted through the presence of small and large shells (ranging 43-81mm in height). Shell parasites were observed on 41% of identified bi-valves. Common whelk (Cardium edule) was the only other 1 shell to be recovered. Only three valves were recovered, due to the similarity of the valves of this species it was not possible to distinguish between upper and lower valves. There is evidence for the exploitation of shellfish for food from the prehistoric period onwards (Wilson 1991).

O ster shell Counts Parasite 1 Lower valve 82 31 U er valve 72 32 Fra ents 82 - Total 236 63 Table 1: Number of oyster shells recovered from L1512

Reference

Wilson, C,. A. 1991 . Food and Drink in Britain. From the Stone A e to the 19th I Century. Academy Chicago Publishers: Chicago

1 APPENDIX 3 1 CONCORDANCE OF FEATURES Feature Contract FeatureT e Date F1500 Ditch L1501 Prim fill of ditch L1502 U er fill of ditch F1503 Ditch L1504 Fill of ditch L1505 Prima fill of ditch L1506 U er fill of ditch L1507 Fill of ditch F1508 Ditch L1509 Fill of ditch F1510 Pit L1511 Prima fill of ditch L1512 U er fill of ditch F1513 Ditch L1514 Fill of ditch F1515 Ditch 1 L1516 Fill of ditch Sin le RB sherd r

Fingringhoe Ballast Quarry, Colchester, Essex 14 PHOTOGRAPHIC INDEX

DPI DP 2 General shot of western side of General shot of eastern side of site site

DP 3 DP 4 Ditch F1513, view from north- Ditch F1515, view from south- west west Reproduced from the 1999 Ordnance Archaeological Solutions Ltd Survey 1:25000 map with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ,?' Crown copyright Fig. 1 Site location plan Archaeological Solutions Ltd Scale 1:25,000 Licence number 100036680 t 1

1 Fingringho SITE

TM 0300/2000 0350/200

ct 1 a Qua ry Areas r

Reproduced from the 1999 Ordnance Survey 1:25000map with the permission of Her Majesty 's Stationery Office. © Crown copyright ArchaeologicalSolutions Ltd Licencenumber 100036680

Archaeological Solutions Ltd Fig. 2 Detailed site location plan Scale 1:10 000 1 1

1508 IA 1503 C IN

Tnncsedby subsoil removal

Onlyvisible in subsoi Only visible 1510 in subsoil Only visible in sabant

1503 A r 1500

Temcsedby 1503B subsoilremoval t

Boundaryditclme 1 I

1515 A t 1513 t

1515B

Archaeological Solutions Ltd ..

0 50m Fig. 3 Site plan I Scale 1:750 W W E E 1504 a a 1502 a -1507 a 1506 d 1501 1505 Tree bole 1503 C 1503 A 1500 1503 B

E W E W

0 1509 1512 1511

1508 A 1510

SE NW

1514

1513 1516

1515 B

NW SE

1516

1515A

Oyster shells Charcoal

Archaeological Solutions Ltd

0 2m Fig. 4 Sections Scale 1:20