More information : (TL 35590784) Tumulus (R) (1)
Popularly,following the early 18th c County Histories of Chauncy and Salmon, the burial place of one Oddo, the eponym of
Hoddesdon.
Excavated by Sir John Evans in 1901. It consisted of a mound with surrounding ditch; the former 70 ft in diameter and 9 ft high above the ditch bottom; the latter about 6 ft deep below the surrounding land surface and 6 ft wide. The mound was found to be composed of material from the ditch, and a hollow had been made in the surface prior to its dumping. There was no grave, nor other sepulchral feature, and theonly finds were charcoal and ashes (with a possible piece of burnt bone) lining the aforesaid hollow, and a piece of a Niedermendig lava quern beneath the charcoal lining. Two fragments of grey ware thought to be Roman, on the strength of the piece of quern and its position, and speculates that the monument marks the site of a Dark Age cremation, of which the charred hollow is evidence. (2)
The hollow is thought to be diagnostic of Roman barrows and occurs also at Hildersham. (3)
This feature is listed as a Roman barrow on the evidence above. (4)
Not a barrow, but a small motte. The mound is 20m in diameter and stand 2.7m in height within a wide deep ditch up to 8.0m in width and 2.0m in depth. Apart from minor mutilations in the foot of the ditch and a central crater, the result of excavation the feature is in good condition.
It stands on level ground upon a ridge and is within a small
wood.
The sherds and quern fragment could have been thrown up from the ditch during construction, and ashes and charcoal would not be out of place on a dwelling site.
Resurveyed at 1:2500. (5)
(TL 35590784) Motte (NR) (6)
The purpose of this mound must be considered uncertain on ground and excavation evidence; its classification as a motte is doubtful.
No change to published survey. (7)
(TL 355078) Mound (NR). (8)
TL 356078. Listed as a doubtful castle mound. (9)
TL 35580783. Scheduled as a motte castle. (10) |