28
Probably they are the waste heaps of ancient potteries.
The alluvium at the sides of these river mouths provides a
mixture of clay and sand, which would furnish without further
manipulation a material sufficiently good to meet the require-
ments of these early potters. It was no doubt easier for
them to locate themselves and their primitive kilns where
Fig. 25. T-shaped and Wedge-shaped pieces of Clay found in
the Essex Red-Hills. One-fourth natural size.
material existed ready to hand, than to bring clay and sand from
a distance. Among the fragments will be seen a number of
wedge-shaped objects of burnt clay. (Fig. 25). In modern
pottery manufacture similar pieces of clay are used, examples of
which are exhibited alongside the Red Hill specimens, sug-
gesting a possible explanation of the use to which these objects,
as well as the T-shaped pieces, were put.
Further examination is necessary before anything more
definite can be stated regarding the age or nature of these
remains.
The Supposed Lake Dwellings at Skitts' Hill,
Braintree. The discovery of these interesting remains is due
to the observations of the Rev. J. W. Kenworthy, Vicar of
Braintree.
The site on which they occur is on the bank of the
little river at Braintree known as the Brain or Pod. Excava-
tions have been carried on here in order to obtain brick-earth,
the cutting being carried to a depth of 9 or 10 feet into what was
formerly the bed of a much larger river, and through which the
present little stream has cut its course. After a depth of about
6ft. of clayey earth, in which Romano-British pottery is found,