Rochford Nurseries Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex

In July 2006, Oxford Archaeology (OA) carried out the first phase of a field evaluation at Rochford Nurseries, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex (TL 5145 2415) on behalf of CgMs Consulting. The 32-trench evaluation revealed natural flint gravel in clay sealed beneath shallow soil layers. Evidence was found of the brick and concrete footings for Rochford’s Nursery greenhouse structures that once stood at the west side of the site in the 19th and 20th centuries. Several modern ditches were identified: these are likely to be 19th or 20th century field divisions. Recent hedgerow ditches and modern drainage ditches were also recorded. One ditch probably dated to the very recent past, possibly excavated to deter travellers. A number of irregular modern features and tree-throw holes were also noted. The only evidence for occupation of periods earlier than the late 19th century was a single flint end-scraper of probable Neolithic or Bronze Age date