A Napoleonic Barracks at Weeley, Essex

Between 16th August 2021 and 18th January 2022 Oxford Archaeology East carried out an archaeological excavation on land south of Thorpe Road, Weeley, Essex. A total of c. 3.5ha in seven separate areas (Areas 1 and 2) was machine stripped to investigate areas of interest identified by the evaluation.
The northernmost excavation areas included scattered Late Bronze Age features and a series of Roman ditches along the western side of the investigation area.
The southern excavation areas contained a Late Bronze Age ring ditch, as well as a number of more widely scattered pits. These areas also included two rectangular enclosures of Middle Iron Age date, one with second ring ditch inside. Several more Roman ditches were present along the western edge of the development area, along with some additional pits, postholes and a possible oven.
Most of the archaeological features and artefacts dated from the early 19th century (Napoleonic) barracks that was located on the site between 1803 and 1815. The remnants of at least 17 buildings of varying sizes and at least two differing methods of construction were identified. Portions of the buildings survived as brick foundations, but the majority were foundation cuts backfilled with demolition materials. An extensive system of brick gutters and drainage ditches surrounded the buildings was recorded.
Artefactual evidence included moderate assemblages of Late Bronze Age, Middle Iron Age and Roman pottery with a much larger assemblage of post-medieval material primarily of mid-18th to 19th century date. Fragments of Iron Age loom weights and Roman brick and tile were recovered. Whilst very large quantities of 19th century CBM (mostly rubble) were found, these assemblages were primarily recorded on site. Metalwork included a silver coin and four copper-alloy coins of late 18th to 19th century date (two of continental origin), numerous copper-alloy buttons, buckles and iron nails. A single gilt copper-alloy fob seal with sardonyx intaglio was also recovered.