Excavation at the North Ring, Mucking, Essex: A Late Bronze Age Enclosure

With contributions from F. W. Anderson, P. M. Barford, John C. Barrett, Justine Bayley, Mike Cowell, Helena Hamerow, Elizabeth Healey, M. U. Jones and Stuart Needham. Illustrations by B. Bailey, I. Banks, C. Boddington, R. Melia, L. McEwan and J. Thorne The excavation of the eastern side of this Late Bronze Age enclosure revealed two periods of construction, with associated structures including three circular buildings. Salvage excavations to the east produced evidence for a range of contemporary activities. The assemblage of Late Bronze Age material included pottery, metalwork, industrial debris with sickle moulds and equipment for salt production. The discussion and conclusions place the enclosure in context within the contemporary landscape, examining its relationship to the South Rings on the same gravel terrace, and to the earlier Middle Bronze Age pattern. Comparable sites, locally and regionally, are also discussed. This report provides valuable information on the Bronze Age economy, environment and settlement layout on the north side of the Thames Valley. List of Contents v List of Plates vi List of Figures vi List of Tables vi Contributors vii Acknowledgements vii Summary vii Part 1. Introduction, by Dermot Bond and M. U. Jones 1 Part 2. The 1978 Excavations 4 Part 3. The Artefacts 21 Part 4. The 1978-79 Salvage Excavations, by M. U. Jones 45 Part 5 Discussion and Conclusions 52 Appendix I 55 Appendix II 55 Bibliography 56 Index 58