Monument record BNT 004 - Marsh Farm Gravel Pit; Brantham Hall Farm Gravel Pit (BA)

Beaker inhumation graves, later BA urn cemetery and ring ditch with beaker pottery found during gravel working in pit on E side of Marsh Farm.
The first archaeological notice was in 1914 when Mr J R Keeble, manager of Brantham Hall Farm, presented an Ardleigh-type urn to BM, although it is not certainly stated to be from the gravel pit.
The pit was in use from about 1919-1925 and other urns & broken pottery were allegedly found prior to 1923, when a group of at least 12 inverted urns were discovered, probably with cremations.
A group of 3 beaker pit graves, possibly more, was found to the SW of the `urnfield' in 1925 and an unprovenanced beaker and a flint dagger were also recorded from the gravel pit in 1923 & 1931. In 1925, to E of the `urnfield' and the beaker graves and clearly unconnected with them, was a ring ditch with an overall diameter of 28-30 feet (8.53-9. 10m). From centre came fragments of one beaker and from silted circular trench came a fragment of a second beaker. Mr Guy Maynard assisted (J R Moir?) with the excavation of the ring ditch and beaker graves. The `urnfield' may extend into the adjoining fields, probably to E. For details, drawings & 1951 sketch map, see (S1)(S2)(R1-R6). For details of beaker pottery from ring ditch, see (S5). For details & drawing of vessel with finger tipping on shoulder and finger-nail marks on rim and concave neck and brush marked body. No bones were found with the finds.
(see 'Not to be published on web' tab for finder/s and/or findspot/s)
Possibly further BA listed under IA.
Also Pal.