28 PRE-HISTORY IN ESSEX.
Shoebury (F. C. J. Spurrell, E.N., iv., 1890, pp. 150-153,.
plan). Little remains, but it appears to have had nearly
straight sides and rounded corners. There is no inner
enclosure. The author refers its construction to the Dane
Haesten, A.D. 894. 232
Maldon (E. A. Fitch. E.N., ii., 1888, pp. 234-235), situated to
the W. of the town, on the London Road, now very obscure.
Enclosed about 22 acres. Considers it to be the Saxon
Burg "wrought and getimbred" in A.D. 913 or 920. 233,
Birch Castle, near Colchester (H. Laver, E.N., viri., 1894,,
p. 204). Situated S.E. of Birch church. The circuit of the
earthworks still remains. The date is unknown, but may
be Roman. 234
Pictsbury Ramparts (T. V. Holmes, E.N., i., 1887, pp. 79,
82). Situated 3 miles N.W. of Colchester. About 3/4 of the
oval of the camp has been levelled for farming. 235
Camulodunum (H.Laver, E.N.,ii., 1888, pp. 120-122). The
area of this British Oppidium is bounded on the W. by
Grymes Dyke, and on the other sides by the Colne and
the Roman River, It was the ancient fastness of the
Trinobantes, became the royal town of Cunobelinus, and
was subsequently occupied by the Romans (the Colonia
of Claudius). Weapons of flint and bronze, urns, and
British coins (as also Roman remains) are abundant in the
Oppidium. It is the centre of three British roads, some
parts of which only survive as foot-paths. Considers that
some of the apparent earthworks here are really banked
Roman roads. 236
Asheldham (E.N., xvi., 1911, p. 232). Brief note. The camp
may be Danish. 237
Harwich (E.N., vi.. 1891, p. 246). Some remains traceable
S. of the town. 238
Comprehensive (T. V. Holmes, E.N., x., 1897, pp. 145-158,
numerous plans). Compares the earthworks of Essex with
those of the Southern Counties, and of Norfolk and
Suffolk. 239
[Vide also Section xv.]
In general review of the above notices of earthworks, one
can only say—how little we know about them !
XIII, Streamlet Dams.
Felstead (J. French, E.N., vi., 1892, pp. 34-40). Describes
artificial clams. 150 to 200 yards long and 20 feet high,
across streamlet valleys ; and sections through their silt..
Many oyster shells and one or two pieces of Roman pottery
were found in circumstances which rather suggested con-