PILE-DWELLING SITE AT SKITT S HILL, BRAINTREE. I39 



somewhat on the side of the stream, the deposit would probably 

 foe a little shallower than at the centre. This depth of the 

 alluvium agrees with that given by Mr. W. H. Dalton, F.G.S., 

 in the Geological Survey Memoir, 1 where he states that the section 

 showed in 1872 " sixteen to eighteen feet of fine grey and buff 

 loam resting on a thin bed of sandy gravel, in a broad shallow 

 hollow of the London Clay." 



A general view of the excavation is given in Fig. 2., PI. xxvi. This is taken 

 from the point C on plan, Fig. 3, and shows at the far end the section on the 

 line B — D, which is parallel with the hedge, and is the part furthest from the 

 edge of the original stream on which the spectator is standing. 



The lower part of this section, which has come darker on the photograph, 

 •consists of washed clay, containing no organic remains. The overlying light 

 portion is alluvial brick-earth, above which is the darker surface soil. The man 

 Avith the wheelbarrow is standing on the top level of the relic-bed, but in this 

 portion of the filling the characteristic black earth containing wood extends from 

 the bank on which the spectator is standing only to about the spot marked by 

 the drain-pipe on the left of the picture. From this point it runs obliquely 

 towards the spectator, F — G on plan, Fig. 3. 



The hole, Fig. 5, was dug at the spot marked with the x in Fig. 2, Plate xxvi. 

 A.F.G.C. The upper portion of the Relic-bed, consisting of a sandy clay about 

 one foot in thickness, and fairly well conforms to the fii'st spit of the bed. 

 It should be explained that the workmen dig the deposit in spits of a foot 

 deep, a method of great service in keeping the relics distinct in their proper 

 levels. 

 A.E.G.C. Part of the lower portion of the relic-bed, composed of very black 

 earth and sand, largely mixed with fragments of wood, twigs, and leaves. 

 Beyond the darkly shaded portion this level of the relic-bed becomes almost 

 pure white sand containing little organic matter. This extends only to 

 within about five feet of the extent of the upper portion of the bed, shown by 

 the dotted line and along, which lies a log 15 feet long. See Section, 

 Fig. 5. The thickness of this layer was from one to two feet. 

 F.B.D.G. Fine washed clay. 



It will be seen that the mixed earth of the relic-bed extends 

 from the side of the stream only about 17 feet on the line C — G, 

 running obliquely into the bed of the stream to a distance of 

 about 50 feet on the line A — F. The thickness of this deposit 

 was greater by about one foot at C — G than at A — F. 



All the rest of the filling at this level, the unshaded portion on 

 the plan F.B.D.G., was the normal clay filling of the stream. 

 For general section and explanation see Fig. 4 on page 140. 



This diagram (Fig. 5) shows the portion of the relic-bed level 

 which differs from the general filling of the stream in being 

 principally composed of sand, and contains quantities of wood, 



1 Shed 47, IV. IF. Essex and N.E. Herts, p. 66. 



