Archaeological evaluation on land to the rear of 41-45 Clare Road, Braintree, Essex – March 2014

Archaeological evaluation by three trenches was carried out on land to the rear of 41-45 Clare Road, Braintree ahead of the construction of two new houses. This follows a 2012 archaeological evaluation and excavation immediately to the west which uncovered Late Iron Age and Roman pits and ditches, and a compacted Roman surface (then thought to be a Roman road leading towards the Roman town).
There were no significant archaeological features or finds in the three trenches (only a modern post-pit). Significantly, the postulated Roman road was not seen in the trench specifically positioned to intercept it. The compacted gravel surface found in 2012 may, therefore, represent a Roman yard rather than a road.