‘dba’ fieldwork near Wickford

Today (15th April), Trust archaeologist Howard Brooks was working on a ‘dba’ (desk-based assessment) for a site near Wickford in Essex.  Although a ‘dba’ does not involve the digging of any holes in the ground, the archaeologist still has to go and look at the site on the ground!

A ‘dba’ is a study of the surviving heritage and archaeology in a large area, on and around a specified site. So, today, as part of the work for the ‘dba’, Howard went to look at hedges and very wet and muddy fields near Wickford.

Wickford is a small town, now part of the London commuter belt, with its own Country Park. Evidence of Neolithic occupation has previously been found in the town, consisting of post-holes and hundreds of flints.

The image shows a flooded ditch which Howard photographed today near Wickford.

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