142 PILE-DWELLING SITE AT SKITT'S HILL, BRAINTREE.
This layer had very much the appearance of the bottom of a forest pond,
mixed with animal excrement, and was probably the edge of a very sluggish
stream where animals came to drink.
Some of the soil containing the insects has been kindly examined by Mr. G. C.
Champion, F.E.S.; he reports, however, that the remains are too fragmentary for
identification.
8.—Fine washed clay, one foot deep, similar to 3 and 6.
9.—Pebbles and sand, two inches deep.
10.—Washed clay, four feet six inches, similar to 3, 6, and 9.
11.—River ballast, base of old river at a total depth of about 17 feet from the
present surface.
By probing this ballast was found to run up towards the bank somewhat
sharply,
RELICS.
Animal Remains.—The only bones which occurred were
fragments of ribs and vertebrae, apparently of red deer.
The Wood.—Though not so plentiful as in former parts of
the diggings, a great quantity of wood came from the portion
shaded darkest on the plan (Fig. 3). A large log, 15 feet long,
was found lying along the line of the sandy deposit F—G on
plan, 5 on the section (Fig. 5).
Two large pieces of timber are shown in the section
(Fig. 5). One lying horizontally (4); another shown end-wise
(5). Numerous smaller pieces occurred, but not in any
position to suggest that they had been placed as stakes.
Masses of twigs, leaves, and fragments of wood occurred in
the portions shaded darkest on the plan and sections. All the
logs were denuded of roots and branches.
A number of fragments have been examined by Mr. George
Ellis, who has identified the greater quantity as oak, with a few
pieces of elm and willow.
The Pottery.—Nearly all the pottery has come from the
brick-earth overlying the relic-bed, and is of the Romano-British
period.
The workmen, some of whom have been working here for
upwards of fifteen years, told me that the lowest level at which
pottery has been found is quite on the top of the relic bed, but
it has rarely been found at this level..
Some fragments of coarse pottery, but of uncertain age, were
mentioned in the former account as coming from the relic-bed.3
From the present portion we have an interesting fragment of
definite character found at a depth of 6 feet 6 inches, which is
3 Essex Naturalist, Vol. xi., p. 113.