Archaeological Evaluation. Romans Farm, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex

Trial-trench evaluation was carried out to inform the submission of a planning application for residential development. Preceding geophysical survey across the c.12ha proposed development site recorded several ditch-like anomalies of potential archaeological interest, including a possible ring-ditch toward its eastern edge. The evaluation comprised the investigation of seven trial trenches, all targeted on selected geophysical anomalies in the southern half of the site. A low correspondence between the geophysical survey and trial-trench results was demonstrated, with the majority of the recorded archaeological features not detected as geophysical anomalies. Archaeological remains were recorded in six trenches. These comprised a low density and generally low complexity of linear ditches, part of a probable ring-ditch, a cluster of four urned cremation burials, a colluvium layer and a possible tree-hole. The majority were found in the south of the evaluated area, toward and alongside Pannel's Brook. A single linear ditch of probable of Bronze Age/earliest Iron Age date and a ring-ditch of undetermined prehistoric date attested to late prehistoric land use activity within the site. The ring-ditch was probably the remains of a ploughed-out round barrow, potentially of Late Neolithic to Middle Bronze date. A cluster of four urned cremation burials, probably constituting part of an earlier Roman cemetery, and a possibly associated ditch, were the only indicators of Roman land use activity. No settlement features were identified. Possible Early Saxon occupation remains were recorded in the south of the site alongside Pannel's Brook. These comprised a possible sunken-featured building, an enclosure ditch and perhaps an undated colluvium, that may be part of a wider scattered settlement pattern previously encountered during investigations to the south of Pannel's Brook. A single linear ditch running roughly parallel with the brook attested to medieval, presumably agricultural, land use. A small number of post-medieval features, a gully-like rut or grubbed-out hedge line and a probable tree-hole were the only indications of more recent agricultural activity.