Steeple Bumpstead Flood Alleviation Scheme, Steeple Bumpstead, Essex

Between March and October 2013, Oxford Archaeology East carried out an archaeological watching brief (to discharge a planning condition) during works along the Bumpstead Brook associated with the Steeple Bumpstead Flood Alleviation Scheme (centred on TL 6794 4118). The monitoring was carried out during channel-widening work and related installation of bridge foundations and gabions from a point where Bumpstead Brook is fed by Helions Brook to the ford at Church Street, towards the historic core of the village. The archaeological desk study carried out previously by Oxford Archaeology suggested that there would be a higher chance or degree of survival of archaeological remains in this section of the scheme.
The main archaeological deposit of interest recorded was a midden layer associated with a 16th century and later tanyard, from which a quantity of cattle horncores and other bone fragments was recovered. More recent evidence included a re-used split timber that had been laid on top of the recent river silts, probably to create a temporary fording point.