THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
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but probably surpass in size and height all others in the Eastern counties.
The largest hill measures 42 feet in vertical height and is believed to
be the largest sepulchral mound in England. Besides the four large
barrows there were originally at least three small ones which owing to
recent alterations of the surroundings have been practically obliterated.
The whole group was excavated by Lord Maynard, the owner, and
rich deposits of Roman character discovered. The burials were by
cremation and large glass vessels were employed in several cases as ossuary
urns, each grave being also furnished with vessels of pottery, glass and
bronze. The age of the deposits can safely be placed in the first half
of the second century A.D., owing to (1) the presence of a bronze coin
of Hadrian found in one of the bottles, (2) the cylindrical shape of the
glass vessels, which are usually associated in Germany with burials of the
Hadrianic period, (3) the shape of the sacrificial vessel of enamelled
bronze, probably the finest article of its class ever found in Britain, which
was discovered in the largest hill. This grave was richly furnished and
contained a bronze and iron folding seat very similar to the modern camp
stool ; it was evidently the tomb of a very wealthy and important personage,
probably a Romanised native chieftain. A Roman building was discovered
close to the 'hills' and excavated by Lord Braybrooke, but ths finds were
few and late in character, so that probably it had no association with the
barrows."
The hills were then climbed and a considerable number of chalk-loving
flowers were found growing upon them. A single plant of Anemone Pulsatilla
was found. The hills have been a noted locality for this flower, and it was
feared that it had become extinct. In the neighbouring field Salvia
pratense was obtained, and Ranunculus parviflorus was found on the road-
side beyond.
After leaving Bartlow a halt was made at a wayside chalk pit to examine
the point of contact of the Chalk with the overlying Boulder-clay. It was.
found that two or three feet of the clay above the chalk had become
decalcified, and at the point of contact a bed two to three inches thick of
redeposited carbonate of lime had been found. Mr. Whitaker gave a
short talk on the formation of the bed, after which the party drove on to
Walden, where they arrived at 8.30 p.m., after a most enjoyable excursion.
VISIT OF THE SOUTH-EASTERN UNION OF
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES TO THE EPPING FOREST
DISTRICT.
Saturday, 7th June 1913.
The Union on the occasion of their Hampstead Congress made an
excursion to Epping Forest, in conjunction with the Essex Field Club.
The objects of the meeting were an inspection of the Museum at Queen
Elizabeth's Lodge, Chingford, and making acquaintance with some of the
beauties of the Forest, then in its spring verdure.
The Union Members came in a motor omnibus to the Museum, where
they were received by the President and the Secretaries, together with
members of the Club.