208
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Curtis, Drake, Poole, Smith, Sneary and Scrutton, who are mem-
bers of the Hornchurch Historical Society Archaeological Group.
References
Oakley, K. P. and Leakey, M. (1937). Report on Excavations at Jaywick
Sands, Essex. Proc. Prehist. Soc. London, 3: 217-60.
Warren, S. H. (1922). The Clacton Spearhead. Proc. Prehist. Soc. E.
Anglia, 3: 597.
Warren, S. H. (1924). The Elephant Bed of Clacton-on-Sea. Essex
Nat., 21 : 32-40.
Warren, S. H. (1951). The Clacton Flint Industry—A new Interpretation.
Proc. Geol. Ass. London, 62: 107-35.
Wymer, J. (1957). A Clactonian Flint Industry at Little Thurrock, Grays,
Essex. Proc. Geol. Ass. London, 68: 159-77.
Ancient Roads at Stratford, E.15
By Kenneth Marshall
The Roman road from London to Colchester and beyond is
one of those included in the Antonine Itinerary. Although the
existence and route of this important road has been generally
accepted, it has remained unconfirmed by archaeological investiga-
tion. Hull (1963) notes a possible identification of the founda-
tions at Feering Hill east of Kelvedon but, as far as can be seen,
this stands alone. It has been presumed that the alignment ran
from Aldgate to Old Ford where the Lea was crossed, then
through Stratford, Ilford, Romford, Chelmsford, and Kelvedon to
Marks Tey and Colchester.
In May 1963 it was possible to examine a largely continuous
section cut across the supposed alignment, the whole width of
Romford Road. This was made to afford a gas connection to the
Central Fire Station under construction for the West Ham Brigade,
and is at map reference TQ 3955 8642, where the modern road
width, excluding pavements, is 10.5 m. The excavation was
carried to a depth of 1.80 m. in order to achieve the connection,
and a series of clear archaeological levels were observed terminat-
ing in undisturbed Flood Plain Gravel at 1.60 m. below surface.
Due to heavy road traffic the excavation was made in three
sections and each had to be examined in isolation. In the southern
cut, which was the first made, silted levels of an obvious road
ditch were noted, with hard packed gravel metalling rising gently
towards the north. The centre section produced two older road-
beds, one above the other, below the modern foundation. They
were extremely hard and their removal required a full day's
work with mechanical drills. The two ancient foundations were
separated by a stratum of dirty gravel containing a strong admix-
ture of earth, suggesting a period of disuse. There was a further