A HISTORY OF ESSEX 



carried on in forming new reservoirs for the East London Water Com- 

 pany. 1 Though not, strictly speaking, found within the county of 

 Essex, as now understood, its discovery in the border river bed may 

 excuse reference here. 



It is hollowed out of a piece of oak, is nearly 15 feet long by 2 

 feet 4 inches in extreme breadth, and is i foot 4 inches in its extreme 

 depth. A rib is left across (6 inches wide and 7 inches deep) at 8 feet 

 from the stern, while nearer the bow a smaller rib has been left. 



These measurements are quoted from a note in the Reliquary (vol. 

 vii.). In the Essex Naturalist (vol. xii.), is a full page illustration of the 

 boat in situ at the excavations, with some particulars as to the geological 

 conditions of the valley of the Lea. 



Our sketch of antiquities would not be complete without a chronicle 

 of the British coins found in Essex, or relating to the county, were not 

 that subject dealt with by another writer. In a separate chapter will be 

 found our notes on the Ancient Earthworks. 



So far as those relics of antiquity are concerned which can be 

 classed as palaeolithic, neolithic, bronze or late Celtic our task is 

 accomplished, but it remains to notice the antiquities from the fascine 

 dwellings at Braintree, which it is impossible at present to assign to a 

 definite period, the question of its date awaiting the result of further 

 examination. 



Our thanks are due to C. H. Read, Esq., F.S.A. ; W. Cole, Esq., 

 F.L.S. ; to the curators of Colchester, Saffron Walden and Chingford 

 Museums and others for permission to photograph objects ; and espe- 

 cially to H. Laver, Esq., F.S.A., for ever-ready access to his valuable 

 collection. 



FASCINE DWELLINGS AT BRAINTREE 



Near to the town of Braintree a mere or lake was in early times 

 formed by the silting up of the stream now known as the Pod or 

 Brain, and there below the accumulated alluvial soil traces of ' fascine ' 

 dwelling places have been found. To the Rev. J. W. Kenworthy, 

 vicar of Braintree, we are indebted for much information published in 

 the Essex Naturalist (vol. xi.) as the result of some years watching 

 of the excavations carried on for obtaining brickearth from the site. 2 

 It appears that an artificial floor was raised in the manner usual with 

 fascine dwellings. ' To support and secure this artificial concretion, 

 wooden stakes were driven into the ballast of the lake or river. Out- 

 side the raised platform there was still water, in which the peaty mud 

 has accumulated until it has levelled all up ; and it was no doubt into 

 this water which surrounded the floor on which the huts were built that 

 numerous relics fell or were swept by the dwellers. So large was the 



1 This valuable relic has been secured for the British Museum. 



2 In addition to Mr. Kenworthy's paper the journal contains valuable supplements archaeological 

 by Mr. F. W. Reader and geological by Mr. T. V. Holmes, F.G.S. 



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