Land north of Church Street, Bocking Churchstreet, Essex

Between the 4th and 29th January 2021, Oxford Archaeology East (OA East) conducted an archaeological evaluation of land north of Church Street, Bocking Churchstreet, Essex. This work was undertaken to inform the Planning Authority, Essex County County (ECC),on the archaeological potential of the site in advance of a proposed residential development.A total of 96trenches were proposed to be excavated. Of these, 94 were opened and 19trenches revealed archaeological remains. The archaeological remains broadly consisted of former linear field boundaries, many of which corresponded to those shown on early OS maps. A small number of pits, tree throws and natural hollows were also discovered. Two of the trenches (Trenches 64 and 65) were not opened as they were located close to a badger sett. Artefacts were scarce from across the site. The majority of pottery was post-medieval in date, although six sherds of abraded Roman pottery were also recovered. A small assemblage of post-medieval metalwork, ceramic building material, glass and fuel residue was also found.