More information : The mound "opposite the cottages then on the Plains"
was excavated by Dr. Henry Laver "during the years - 'when a
Mr. Harrison was residing at Copford Hall'."
About 6 ft. from the edge of the mound it was found there was
a trench 2 ft. wide and 18 in. deep right round the mound. In
the centre of the mound on the original surface there was much
charcoal but no remains of the body. The earth was reddened by
fire. No other remains were found and no pottery of any sort.
The soil is a sandy loam, a formation which dissolves bone very
quickly. (1)
TL 933 235 Tumulus in trees in left of road to Copford Hall. (2)
In Copford Park, at TL 9322 2294, there is a mound whose position
accords with the few directions given by Laver and which is
considered by the owner, Mr. Harrison of Copford Hall, to be
'Lavers Mound'. It was under wheat at time of visit but it shows
as a large, rather irregularly profiled mound some 30.0 m. in
diameter and c. 1.0 m. high contiguous with a shallow ill-defined
depression of slightly larger diameter. Local tradition has it
that church plate was buried here but a trench through it c. 1870
(? Laver's excavation) revealed nothing.
The siting given by Auth. 2 is apparently a very loose
interpretation of Laver's directions; the wood indicated does not
contain a mound. (3)
The site is known from a manuscript in Colchester Museum, a precise location is not given. Two alternative NGR's are given. TL93302327 to the east of the track leading to Copford HAll, on the western slope of hte Roman river valley, is an arable field under barley with no earthworks visible. The other location TL93352354, on the eastern slope of the Roman river valley is an area of dense vegitation including trees, shrubs, ferns, brambles. Although no earthworks were observed they may be present but are obsured by the vegitation. Onopen grassy area was accessible, and had some slight undulations, but nothing erspmbling a tumulus.
As the site can not be located it can not be recommended for scheduling. It is recommended that the site is visited again during the winter months. (5)
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