Archaeological Evaluation: Land south of the Manorway, Stanford-le-Hope

Twenty-six evaluation trenches were excavated across the c.6ha site. Archaeological remains were identified in nine of the evaluation trenches and consisted of a small number of post-medieval ditches that were partially visible on the ground as a series of negative earthworks. The earthworks were surveyed and the resultant plot correlated closely with boundaries depicted on the 1839 Stanford-le-Hope Tithe map and subsequent Ordnance Survey mapping from 1867-1882. The boundaries formed a rectangular enclosure with a smaller parcel of land to its north and a separate more extensive field boundary beyond. The rectangular enclosure is depicted as a plantation with an adjacent pond on the Tithe map. The plantation, pond and the smaller parcel of land are not, however, depicted on early OS mapping suggesting a change of landuse by the 1860s. The rectangular enclosure itself continued in use throughout the remaining 19th century and into the 20th century and was still depicted on OS mapping as late as 1970s and 80s but probably as a relict feature by now. Other post-medieval remains consisted of three gullies possibly with an agricultural function and an additional ditch not depicted on mapping. Part of a more modern ditch was identified and areas of disturbance and made ground that may have been associated with the construction of a sewerage system across the site.