Hatfield Park Farm, Takeley, Essex - Archaeological Evaluation and Excavation Assessment Report

Wessex Archaeology

From March to May 2004 Oxford Wessex Archaeology evaluated and excavated the 0.75ha site of the access road entrance and associated working areas to a proposed golf course at Hatfield Park Farm, Takeley, Essex. A number of archaeological features were found concentrated towards the north end of the Site. They consisted principally of ditches and gullies all on the same orientation and all containing artefacts indicative of nearby settlement activity dating to the early medieval period. It is probable that these remains represent activities associated with the medieval predecessor of the present Bonningtons Farm which is located to the north of the Site.

The alignment of more isolated ditch features towards the centre of the Site appears to match more closely the adjacent road and may therefore represent later activities. Possible later activities in this area are further represented by a cluster of post-holes, one of which contained a sherd of post-medieval pottery.

Prehistoric and Roman artefacts were also recovered during the excavations but most were found within features containing medieval artefacts. One ditch and two pit features towards the centre of the Site were found to contain only prehistoric artefacts and may therefore date to that period. Across the Site, the frequency of finds of prehistoric date increases to the south although the quantity of archaeological features decreases. This may point towards the location of prehistoric activity in the area.