Evaluation was carried out across an area of c.13.8ha on the south-west periphery of Great Notley village. The investigation comprised 66 trial trenches. The evaluation identified a relatively extensive distribution of below-ground archaeological features of Middle Iron Age, Roman, medieval and post-medieval date. A similar range and sequence of past land use remains as that recorded in the adjacent Horizon Phase 1 site was evident. The identified Middle Iron Age remains, comprising ditches, gullies, pits and postholes, defined two foci of activity, in the north-west and south-east of the Phase 2 site. The latter, in particular, have the character of a settlement, possibly comprising ditched enclosures with associated structures and pits. The distribution of Roman features, comprising ditches, gullies, pits, possible postholes and large hollows containing occupation debris deposits, defined a distinct concentration just west of the centre of the site. This is likely to constitute a rural settlement, such as a farmstead, spaning the early to later Roman periods. A lesser concentration of Roman remains was identified in the north-west that may constitute fields systems and/or activity areas outlying the posited farmstead. A single medieval pit was found in the south-east of the site, closest to Slamsey's Farm, which is itself of known earlier medieval foundation. Post-medieval/modern features distributed across the site, predominantly comprising field ditch, drainage gully, trackway and probable pond remains, related to the agricultural landscape that has endured, largely unchanged, up to the present day.
A Dyson (Mon,) studied this question.