The upgrading of the A120 between Stansted Airport and Braintree allowed
the unique opportunity to examine a slice of landscape crossing the clay
plateau of Essex; a geology which has received little attention in the
past. A diverse pattern of human history was revealed including earlier
prehistoric flint knapping, later prehistoric ritual activity, a Roman
farmstead with accompanying cemetery, a middle Saxon hall, medieval
settlement, pottery production and a windmill. This report is the
product of a joint venture between Oxford Archaeology and Wessex
Archaeology and has been designed to provide the reader with an
accessible interpretation of the findings with supporting factual data.