3.2 The Late Iron Age and Roman Pottery by Edward Biddulph, Joyce Compton and Scott Martin

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 43, NRFRC code ALH RE
Date: Mid- to late 4th century+
Forms: Dish B6, jar G41.1
Occurrence: The bulk of the stratified sherds came from the central settlement zone, otherwise the fabric was thinly distributed. The most common form is a storage jar. Two bead-and-flanged dishes, associated with Saxon pottery, were present in the top fill of well 14529 (KPG40). This vessel type is rare, and may represent one of the latest identifiable Roman forms found in Essex.

Description: This is an omnibus fabric group reserved for a minority of amphora body sherds, usually small, which could not be assigned to a specific fabric.

Description: An omnibus fabric group for amphora stoppers. Generally, the stoppers have fine and soft fabrics with little in the way of inclusions. Typically, they are off-white (10YR 8/2), buff (7.5YR 8/6) or light brown (7.5YR 7/6); one is (exceptionally) light red (10R 6/8).
Form: Amphora stoppers
Occurrence: Little of this fabric group was recovered and the occurrence matched that for ABAET (Baetican amphoras, see below).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 60, NRFRC code ARG SA
Date: Late 3rd century+
Forms: Bowl f37
Occurrence: Very little of this fabric was present, amounting to a maximum of four vessels. All sherds were found in late 3rd century, or later, contexts, mostly in the northern zone.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 60, NRFRC code PIS SA
Date: c. 15 BC to AD 20
Forms: Platters Conspectus 12 Conspectus B1, Cups Conspectus 13/14 Conspectus 23
Occurrence: This fabric is poorly represented, occurring mainly in contexts of early 1st century AD date. A maximum of twenty vessels was recorded, with the majority being platters of Conspectus form 12. One platter fragment, from pit 20030, has a radial stamp, and this vessel is the earliest, dating to the late 1st century BC.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 55, NRFRC code BAT AM 1
Date: Late 1st century BC to mid-3rd century AD
Forms: Dressel 20 Haltern 70
Occurrence: This is the most common amphora fabric, accounting for almost half of the amphoras by weight. Imports of this fabric to Heybridge began in the late 1st century BC, with a steady increase in volume through to the early to mid-3rd century. Levels tailed off thereafter, with the fabric residual in contexts later than late 3rd century. The fabric was not uniformly distributed. The top half of a Dressel 20 amphora was found inverted in pit 4585.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 40, NRFRC code DOR BB 1
Date: Early 3rd to mid-4th century
Forms: Dishes B1.4 B2 B5.2 B6.3, jar G9
Occurrence: This fabric was recovered from most parts of the settlement. A limited supply to Heybridge began during the mid-2nd century, in line with Colchester (Symonds and Wade 1999, 352). Supply rose dramatically from the early 3rd century, reaching a peak before the end of the century, declining thereafter. It is notable that the amount of BB1 found in late 4th century AD+ contexts is more than double that recovered from mid-4th century contexts, and at least five times that from early 4th century contexts. Given the later 4th-century decline of BB1 in Britain generally (Gillam 1976, 59), its appearance in late 4th-century contexts is entirely residual. Forms are restricted to dishes and jars, often decorated with burnished lattices or intersecting arcs.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 41, NRFRC codes COL BB 2, MUC BB 2, CLI BB 2 and COO BB 2
Date: Early 2nd to mid-3rd century
Forms: Dishes B1 B2 B3 B4 B5, jar G9
Occurrence: BB2 is less common than BB1 and HAB (Hadham black-surfaced ware), but it was recovered from all parts of the settlement. While the fabric first reached Heybridge during the early 2nd century, the quantity of BB2 peaked in the second half of that century, declining from the early 3rd century. Sources have not been certainly identified, but it is reasonable to presume that the bulk of BB2 was manufactured at Colchester and Mucking, the nearest known producers to Heybridge. However, some of the earliest products were undoubtedly imported along with grey and oxidised wares from sources situated along the Kentish side of the Thames Estuary (cf. Monaghan 1987; Pollard 1988). A wider range of forms compared to Chelmsford is represented here. Straight-sided dishes are common, though less so than bead-rimmed dishes. Decoration is restricted to lattices and burnished diagonal lines.

Description: Black burnished pottery not characteristic of BB1, BB2 or HAB in terms of fabric or surface treatment has been placed in this category.
Forms: Dishes B1.3 B2/B4 B3 B6, jar G9.1
Occurrence: This group contains a small amount of pottery. Almost all is wheel-made and occasionally decorated with lines or lattices. Dishes and jars, typical products of the black burnished industries, were recovered from contexts spanning the Roman period, concentrating in the 2nd century AD. Most of the forms present are more indicative of BB2, and if not actually from known BB2 production sites in Essex or Kent, represent something of the output of perhaps a number of as yet unknown sites producing black burnished fabrics.

Description: NRFRC code GAB TN 2
Date: Late 1st century to early 2nd century AD
Forms: Beaker H1
Occurrence: This black, thin-walled fabric was present in three contexts (4138, 4183 and 17255) of late 1st to early 2nd century date. A carinated beaker with a wide, flat, decorated cordon, as yet unparalleled, was identified in addition to the everted-rimmed and round-shouldered H1 beaker. The H1 beaker is not attested in eggshell terra nigra and these sherds may be British-made.

Description: Chelmsford Fabrics 34 and 45
Date: Early/mid-1st to late 4th century+
Forms: Platters A1 A2 A4 Cam 32 Cam 33, dishes B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8, bowls C1 C6 C12 C13 C14 C16 C22 C27 C28 C29 C32 Cam 44 Cam 211 Cam 212 Cam 246 EF59 EF62, mortaria D3 D14, bowl-jars E1 E2 E3 E5 E6, jars G3 G5 G7 G8 G9 G12 G16 G17 G18 G19 G20 G21 G22 G23 G24 G25 G26 G28 G29 G30 G36 G38 G40 G42 Cam 218 Cam 220 Cam 227 Cam 231 Cam 232 Cam 249 Cam 256 Cam 258 Cam 259 Cam 260 Cam 264 Cam 266 Cam 296 EF127 EF169, beakers H1 H4 H7 H10 H14 H24 H25 H26 H27 H32 H33 H34 H35 Cam 91 Cam 117, flagon Cam 140, lids K1 K3 K4 K6, strainer M2, funnel N2, miniatures R2 R3 EF210
Occurrence: Going (1987, 7-9) provided a later 1st and 2nd century AD date range for local sand-tempered black-surfaced wares at Chelmsford. He saw these 'Romanizing' wares as a short-lived continuation of grog-tempered fabric, as the range of forms was similar and the black-surfaced fabrics contained grog in addition to sand. From the 2nd century onwards, these wares were replaced by sandy grey wares (Chelmsford Fabric 47), though black-coloured pottery continued to be produced and at Chelmsford was included in this later category. Similarly at Elms Farm, black-surfaced wares were recovered in considerable quantity throughout the Roman period, forming part of a tradition of reduced ware production in East Anglia. As the fully sandy fabric cannot be easily distinguished from the grog-and-sand-tempered fabric, both variants have been assigned to this single category. Black-surfaced ware occurred in very small quantities during the first half of the 1st century AD. Volume increased considerably during the second half of the 1st century, but fell during the mid-2nd century. From then, the fabric continued to form a major component of most assemblages, though its proportional share rarely exceeded that of the sandy grey wares. Black-surfaced ware was widespread, with most occurring in the central settlement zone, the least in the northern and southern zones. Vessels in this fabric were manufactured at Heybridge.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 31
Date: Mid-1st to mid-3rd century AD
Forms: Dishes B6 B7 B10, bowls C1 C22 C26, mortaria D1 D2.1 D D4 D5.3 D11 D13 D14 Cam 193, bowl-jar E2, jar G26, beakers H1 H17 Cam 117, flagons J3 Cam 148 EF193, unguentarium Cam 389B
Occurrence: Buff ware was recovered from across the settlement in contexts largely dating to the 2nd century and first half of the 3rd. The highest proportion, largely comprising mortarium sherds, was recovered from the peripheral zone. Buff ware mortaria were almost certainly manufactured at Heybridge their fabric is not easily distinguished from other buff ware fabrics. Mortaria were well represented throughout the settlement. The Area W kiln contexts almost exclusively contained hammerhead-rimmed types. A more varied range of forms was present elsewhere. The central zone also yielded large amounts of buff ware. Colchester and other parts of East Anglia may be among the sources.

Description: A white or buff (10YR 8/1) fine-grained, sand-tempered fabric with external mica-coating and internal (sometimes also external) red-brown (10R 4/8) slip, decorated with zones of herringbone-pattern barbotine.
Date: Early to mid=1st century AD (Tyers 1996, 164)
Form: Beaker Cam 114 [GB25 (Stead and Rigby 1989, 134-7)]
Occurrence: A Gallo-Belgic fabric typically found in Britain c. AD 10-40. The earliest examples have contrasting clay slips, but later vessels tend to have only the mica-coating with a paler fabric. These later vessels are the more common British site finds, although sherds with red slip occurred at Elms Farm, unfortunately residual here. Very small amounts of the fabric were recovered. Three examples were present in pits assigned to the first half of the 1st century AD, but much is residual, appearing as single body sherds in contexts dating to the mid-2nd century and later.

Description: NRFRC code CAM AM 1
Date: 1st century AD
Forms: Dressel 1 Dressel 2-4
Occurrence: This distinctive fabric had a brief floruit at Heybridge. It first occurred in quantity early in the 1st century AD and peaked later that century. Distribution across the settlement was not uniform.

Description (ARCAT): NRFRC code CAT AM
Description (AWCAT): Hard, cream (7.5YR 8/4) fabric with abundant, poorly sorted, rounded and subangular white inclusions <2mm across, also evident on exterior surfaces. This is the counterpart of the red fabric (ARCAT), although the mica of the standard ARCAT fabric is normally not present. Catalan fabric has been identified and defined by Williams (1981, 127-8).
Date: Late 1st century BC to mid-late 1st century AD
Form: Pascual 1 Dressel 2-4
Occurrence: Very little of this fabric was found, with most occurring in part of the southern settlement zone. Most appeared in contexts dating to the first half of the 1st century AD, with the highest incidence in the mid-1st century.

Description: NRFRC code CNG CC 1 and CNG CC 2
Date: Mid- to late 1st century AD
Form: Beaker H (Greene 1979, fig. 17.4/18.1)
Occurrence: Three sherds were found, with both white and cream fabric variants represented. The cream-buff ware (CNG CC 2), was recovered from pit 7575, present in the form of a beaker decorated with hairpin pattern barbotine, to which a mid- to late 1st century AD date may be applied. A late 1st-century pit, 20174, produced a beaker rim in white fabric (CNG CC 1), which fits the late 1st to early 2nd century AD date that Greene (1979, 43) proposed for this fabric.

Description: NRFRC code CNG TR, Standard Fabric 1B (Rigby 1989)
Date: Late 1st century BC to c. AD 20
Forms: Flagons Cam 165 [CL3b (Stead and Rigby 1989, 119-20)] EF200 EF201 (Rigby and Freestone 1986, Types F1 F2)
Occurrence: The micaceous fabric is distinctive, with a cream-coloured kaolin-based slip usually confined to the outer surface. At least twelve vessels were identified, although the fabric occurred, mainly as body sherds, in 118 contexts. There is a near-complete vessel in pit 9611, another in pyre-debris pit 15417, and the lower half of a flagon in pyre-related feature 2195. The rims of two flagons, EF200 and EF201, are reeded, unlike the customary dished, cornice rim of Cam 165. There are only two British parallels for the reeded rim form, the Welwyn Garden City burial (Stead 1967) and the Dorton mirror burial in Buckinghamshire (Farley 1983). Thin-sectioning of the flagon from pit 15417 (KPG5, report in archive) confirms a Central Gaulish source.

Description: NRFRC code CNG GL 1 and CNG GL 2, Fabric 2B (Rigby 1989)
Date: Mid- to late 1st century AD
Forms: Beaker H1, flagon J (Greene 1979, fig. 40.2/3)
Occurrence: This fabric was found infrequently, only occurring in the southern and peripheral zones. Most examples are in the white fabric variant (CNG GL 1), produced in the Allier Valley. A single piece is buff (CNG GL 2), originating in Lezoux (Tomber and Dore 1998, 52-3). All sherds were recovered from stratified contexts, providing a date in the second half of the 1st century AD. Three contexts are dated more precisely to the mid-1st century. Just two forms were identified; flagon and beaker. The latter is decorated with barbotine dots (cf. Greene 1979, fig. 42.14).

Description: NRFRC code CNG TR, Standard Fabric 1C (Rigby 1989)
Date: Late 1st century BC to c. AD 25
Forms: Jar Cam 262, beaker Cam 102 [CJ1 (Stead and Rigby1989, 120)]
Occurrence: This coarse red-brown fabric is distinctive, with a golden micaceous slip normally applied to the rims and shoulders of vessels. Sherds were recovered from fifty-seven contexts, with a minimum of twenty-two Cam 102 beakers identified. This compares well with the seventy-two vessel occurrences at Camulodunum, and the forty-nine vessels found at Skeleton Green, although finds elsewhere are restricted to single figures. Two Cam 262 jars are also represented, one in KPG14, the second, in ditch fill 11261, appears to be in non-standard fabric. Thin-sectioning was unable to confirm a Central Gaulish source for this vessel. The fabric was thinly distributed, appearing mainly in contexts dating to the early 1st century AD.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 8, NRFRC code CNG BS
Date: Late 2nd to early/mid-3rd century
Forms: Cup F2, beakers H27 H28 H (Symonds 1992, Gps 9 and 14)
Occurrence: Few forms were recorded, with the assemblage generally composed of body sherds. The identified forms mirror examples found at Chelmsford. Beakers appear to be the dominant form. As at Chelmsford, the ware first occurred during the second half of the 2nd century. While the near-complete folded beaker (Archive 2417, fill 7086) from a late 3rd to mid-4th century ditch section is probably residual, this form was typically produced during the first half of the 3rd century (Symonds 1992, 26). The example here may have remained in use or been curated up to the time of its deposition.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 60, NRFRC codes LMV SA, LEZ SA1 and LEZ SA2
Date: Late 1st century to late 2nd century AD
Forms: Platters f15/17 f15/17R, dishes f15/31 f18/31 f18/31R f18/31-31 f18/31R-31R f31 f31R f42 f79 f79R Ludowici Tg, bowls f29 f30 f35/36 f36 f37 f37R f38 f44 f78 f81 Curle 11 Curle 15 Curle 21 Curle 23, mortarium f45, cups f27 f33 f33a f33/46 f35 f46 f80 Ludowici Tx, jar ?f68, beakers f64 f72
Occurrence: The bulk of the samian found is Central Gaulish, with most of this originating in Lezoux. The earliest pieces, of which there are seven, are 1st century, but most of the ware from Lezoux is 2nd century. A small number of vessels, mainly the work of one potter, came from Les Martres-de-Veyre. Central Gaulish samian mainly occurred in contexts dated mid-2nd through to mid-3rd century, with high residuality apparent. The range of forms is wide, with less common jar and beaker forms also present, and the lion-spouted mortarium making an appearance.

Description: NRFRC code CNG TR, Standard Fabric 1A (Rigby 1989)
Date: Second half of 1st century BC (Rigby and Freestone 1986, 8)
Forms: Platters Cam 1 Cam 2, dish
Occurrence: This fabric is extremely rare in Britain, representing one of the earliest continental imports along with Dressel 1 amphoras. The fabric is highly micaceous, and a red slip originally covered the surfaces, but this only survives patchily. Ten examples were recorded in contexts dated to the late 1st century BC. The majority of the vessels are platters, but there is a single thin-walled dish (Figure 283, no. 2). A red-slipped finish is thought to be reserved for platters, dishes or cups (Rigby 1989, 119), and the evidence from Elms Farm is in agreement with this observation. Thin-sectioning has confirmed a Central Gaulish source for the Heybridge sherds (see archive).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 22, NRFRC code EPO MA
Date: Mid- to late 4th century+
Form: Bowl C (Fulford 1977, fig. 3.1)
Occurrence: Céramique à l'éponge is rarely found in Essex, or in Britain, but a higher proportion of this marbled ware than usual was recovered. Indeed, the twelve sherds recovered here, representing five or six vessels, rivals the sixteen sherds found at Mucking (Going 1987, 6). Mainly present singly in late 4th century+ contexts, the central zone produced the highest amount. A single form was identified, a flanged bowl; some body sherds could well belong to flagons.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 53, NRFRC code SOB GT
Date: Late 1st century BC to mid-1st century AD
Forms: Platters Cam 23 Cam 28 Cam 31 Cam 32 A2 A4, dish B8, bowls Cam 47 Cam 230 Cam 242 Cam 243 Cam 250 Cam 253 C1 C29 C32 C33 EF28 EF32 EF34 EF35, jars Cam 218 Cam 219 Cam 220 Cam 229 Cam 232 Cam 234 Cam 249 Cam 254 Cam 255 Cam 256 Cam 257 Cam 258 Cam 259 Cam 260 Cam 263 Cam 264 Cam 266 Cam 267 Cam 270 Cam 271 Cam 272 G1 G3 G4 G5 G8 G17 G18 G19 G20 G21 G23 G30 G31 G44 G45 G45 EF92 EF97 EF99-101 EF105 EF107 EF112 EF116 EF119 EF121-3 EF128 EF130 EF133-4 EF136 EF148 EF152 EF176 EF180-5, beaker H4.1, lids K1 K3 K6 EF205, funnel N2
Occurrence: Assigned to the fabric of grog-tempered storage jars and other sherds that have lumpy coarse fabric. Jars are the most common form and of these, storage jars Cam 270 and Cam 271, and the everted rim form Cam 259, are the most numerous. Jars with stabbing on the shoulder, and with various schemes of combed decoration on the body, were also popular. A variety of platters, bowls and lids were also made, and there are three examples of the funnel N2; one with an internal strainer-plate at the junction of the spout and the bowl of the vessel (see Figure 338, no. 5). Also present is a probable tripod foot (see Figure 295, no. 13; cf. Niblett 1985, fig. 32, no. 245) and a second possible example (see Figure 295, no. 12), although this may be a lug handle. The fabric was uniformly distributed, appearing mainly in Late Iron Age contexts. Its occurrence in contexts dated mid- to late 1st century AD perhaps demonstrates the gradual change from fully grog-tempered vessels to those in storage jar fabric (STOR) (see Pattern of pottery upply).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 27, NRFRC code COL WH
Date: Mid-1st to mid-3rd century
Forms: Bowls C12 C26, mortaria D1 D2 D4 D11 D13 Cam 191 Cam 192 Cam 195 EF75, beaker H13, flagons J3 J4 J6 Cam 140 Cam 154 Cam 163 Cam 167, funnel N2, costrel
Occurrence: The fabric was widely distributed across the settlement. Going detected a decline in the supply of Colchester products, other than mortaria, to Chelmsford after the mid-2nd century AD (1987, 7). This trend can be seen at Heybridge, where, up until the mid-2nd century, flagons and, to a lesser extent, bowls were more common than mortaria. During the second half of the 2nd century, mortaria production increased but at the same time supplies of flagons and bowls declined. The Colchester industry produced wall-sided gritless mortaria (Cam 191) with a pronounced bead rim and these are probably pre-Flavian in date (Hawkes and Hull 1947, 254). Some of these later examples have fine trituration grits.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 1, NRFRC code COL CC 2
Date: Mid-2nd to mid-3rd century
Forms: Beakers H20 H22.1 H23.1 H24.2 H25 H26 H27.2 H28 H29.1 H32 H33 H35.1
Occurrence: Given the proximity of its source, this fabric is poorly represented, forming less than one quarter of the total amount of Roman colour-coated wares. As at Chelmsford, Heybridge received Colchester colour-coated ware from the mid-2nd century AD, or perhaps slightly before. Supply continued into the 3rd century. Despite a slight increase in volume in 4th-century contexts, its appearance from the later 3rd century onwards must be residual. Forms are confined solely to beakers, though the range is wider than at Chelmsford. Beakers decorated with clay pellet roughcasting are by far the commonest and among the earliest of forms. Large folded and barbotine-decorated beakers are typical late 2nd and 3rd century products.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 60, NRFRC code COL SA
Date: Mid- to late 2nd century AD
Forms: Dishes f18/31 f18/31-31 f18/31R f31 f31R f79, bowls ?f30R f32 f36 f37 f38, mortarium f45, cups f27 f33 f40 f80
Occurrence: Colchester samian ware is well represented, with a maximum of 101 vessels, probably not unexpected given the proximity of Colchester to Heybridge. Most occurred in contexts dating to the late 2nd century, but there is also a high level of residuality. The fabric was evenly spread across the settlement, with the largest proportion in the central zone.

Description: Colour-coated fabrics were assigned this code where the source could not be readily identified because sherds were either very small, overfired, or burnt and abraded.
Forms: Beakers H20 H22 H24 H33
Occurrence: Most sherds, if not all, are likely to have originated either in Colchester or the Nene Valley. Forms are confined to beakers, and the majority of sherds were recovered from later 2nd and 3rd century contexts. Both date and form ranges are typical of the industries mentioned.

Description: NRFRC code COL CC 1
Date: Mid- to late 1st century AD
Forms: Beaker H1/Cam 94
Occurrence: Sherds representing eight vessels were recovered, including the lower half of a large beaker. Greene (1979, 85) suggested that the fabric imitated Lyon ware, and this is reflected in the forms at Heybridge, which include beakers roughcast with sand. The ware is found mainly in contexts dated mid- to late 1st century AD, although new vessels are unlikely to have been produced after c. AD 55 (Symonds and Wade 1999, 233). A beaker from layer 4706 is decorated with painted vertical stripes, perhaps copying the Cam 114 herringbone beaker (CAMF).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 50
Date: Late 1st century BC to early 2nd century AD
Forms: Bowl EF36, jars Cam 254 Cam 255 Cam 256 Cam 258 Cam 259 G3 G4 G5 G (Monaghan Class 3D4), cauldron L1
Occurrence: Vessels in this fabric were made in the Thameside area of south Essex, for instance, at Gun Hill (Drury and Rodwell 1973) and Mucking (Jones and Rodwell 1973). The fabric had its widest distribution in the Late Iron Age, although wheel-thrown ledge-rimmed jars (G5) continued into the Flavian period and north Kent storage jars occurred into the 2nd century. This is much the case at Heybridge, but here the handmade jar form Cam 254 predominates. This simple vessel form is the earliest in date, typologically, and occurred in late 1st-century BC contexts. Early shell-tempered ware was found in moderate quantities across the settlement. A storage jar oven, 10501, contained a Monaghan (1987) Class 3D4 storage jar, current until the mid- or late 2nd century (Tyers 1996, 194). It is suggested that these jars were traded as containers and this may account for the presence of a single example of this vessel type at Heybridge. Uncommon forms include a cauldron, complete with skeuomorphic rivet (see Figure 295, no. 10), and a near-complete, deep, straight-sided bowl, EF36.

Description: NRFRC code EAA RE
Examples from Elms Farm have yellow-grey (2.5Y 8/4; 5Y 7/1) surfaces, but in all other respects are identical to the grey or black fabric held in the National Reference Collection.
Date: Mid-2nd to early 3rd century
Forms: Mortaria D1 D11
Occurrence: This fabric is present only in small quantities. Stratigraphy, and the forms present, predominantly the hammerhead-rimmed D11, strongly suggest mid-2nd to early 3rd century usage.

Description: Two fabrics, while superficially dissimilar, both display stamped decoration, and are presented together here for the sake of convenience. One has a grey-brown surface (2.5Y 5/2) with darker grey-brown core (2.5Y 3/2) and orange (5YR 6/6) margins, the other a burnished orange-brown (5YR 5/6) surface and core.
Occurrence: The reduced fabric is present as a single unstratified body sherd only (see Figure 297, no. 39), decorated with vertical bands of rouletting and linked ring-and-dot stamps (cf. Rodwell 1978, fig. 7.13, no. 101). This sherd is likely to date to the late 1st and early 2nd centuries (Rodwell 1978, 268), perhaps originating in West Stow, where pottery of similar fabric and style was manufactured (West 1990, 76). Dating to the mid-4th century, the oxidised fabric is represented by a near-complete bowl (see Figure 296, no. 35) resembling Oxfordshire form C84. The bowl is decorated with rouletted arcs, vertical lines and stamped circles. Its source is uncertain, but an origin in Oxfordshire or the Hadham region is unlikely on the grounds of fabric and decorative scheme.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 9, NRFRC code MOS BS
Date: Later 2nd to mid-3rd century
Forms: Beakers H (Symonds 1992, Gps 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, and 39), Cam 342
Occurrence: In contrast to Chelmsford, this fabric was more common than Central Gaulish Rhenish ware (CGRHN). It appeared first in contexts dating to the second half of the 2nd century AD, although quantities are low. There was no significant change until the mid-3rd century, when the amount of East Gaulish Rhenish ware increased. Despite the presence of a near-complete vessel in late 3rd century+ pit 4989, it seems likely that the fabric was imported in significant volume only during the 3rd century, and mainly during the middle of this century. The near-complete vessel suggests continued use beyond this date. Forms are confined to beakers, usually folded or long-necked, and often decorated with a variety of rouletted, painted and barbotine motifs.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 60, NRFRC codes BLW SA, HGB SA, MAD SA, RHZ SA and TRI SA
Date: Late 2nd to mid-3rd century
Forms: Dishes f18/31 f18/31R f31 f31R f32 f79 Ludowici Tr/Ts, bowls f30 f35/36 f36 f37 f38 f44, mortarium f45, cups f33 f40
Occurrence: Most (74%) of the East Gaulish samian originated from the Rheinzabern industry, with further small amounts coming from Trier, Blickweiler, Heiligenberg and La Madeleine. The ware from the latter dates to the 2nd century, probably accounting for the small amounts of East Gaulish samian appearing in contexts of this date. However, the fabric mostly occurred in mid-3rd century, or later, contexts, with a rise in numbers towards the end of the 4th century, though presumably residual by this time. The range of forms is restricted to dishes and bowls, although the cup form f33 is present, as always, and the lion-spouted mortarium f45 is well represented. The fabric was evenly spread across the settlement.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 39
Date: Mid-1st to late 4th century
Forms: Platters A1 A2 A4 Cam 28, dishes B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7, bowls C1 C2 C3 C7 C8 C12 C15 C16 C23 C27 C29 EF57 EF64, bowl-jars E1 E2 E3 E5 E6, jars G5 G8 G9 G10 G16 G17 G18 G19 G20 G23 G24 G29 G31 G35 G37 G38 G40 G42 Cam 232 Cam 249 Cam 259, beakers H1 H2 H5 H6 H7 H8 H10 H21 H24 H25 H26 H27 H32 H33 H34 H35 H39 H41 H42 Cam 96, flagon J3, lids K3 K6
Occurrence: While never as common as the coarser sandy grey ware (GRS), fine grey ware nevertheless formed a major proportion of the reduced wares. Large quantities were recovered from the central settlement zone. Production, probably local, did not commence much before the mid-1st century AD, increasing from the late 2nd or early 3rd century, perhaps in response to the expansion of the market for fine, burnished, pottery, driven by the Hadham industry. This phenomenon was similarly noticed by Going at Chelmsford (1987, 8). The levels of fine grey ware decreased during the 4th century; the upturn at the end of the century suggesting high levels of residuality. Unsurprisingly, dishes, bowls and beakers are well represented. Jars, too, are present, but the range of forms is not as wide as that in sandy grey or black-surfaced wares. Vessels in fine grey ware were manufactured at Heybridge.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 53, NRFRC code SOB GT
Date: Late 1st century BC to mid-1st century AD
Forms: Platter, dish, bowl Cam 246, cup Cam 57, jars Cam 249 G2 G8 EF172, beakers Cam 85 Cam 115 Cam 116 H1 H7 EF186, flagon EF198, strainer bowl M1
Occurrence: Assigned to finer vessels with red-coloured and well-finished surfaces, usually beakers imitating terra rubra types. The fabric variation has been fully described by Thompson (1982, 22). Vessels in this fabric were relatively common, and some resembled terra rubra closely enough to be described as TR4 at Camulodunum (Hawkes and Hull 1947, 204). The most common form is the beaker, but a variety of other forms is also represented. The fabric, as with the sandier version, was not uniformly spread across the settlement.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 53, NRFRC code SOB GT
Date: Late 1st century BC to mid-1st century AD
Forms: Platters Cam 21 Cam 22 Cam 23 Cam 24 Cam 26 Cam 28 Cam 32 Cam 31 Cam 33 A2 A4 EF1-17, dishes B7 EF25 EF26, bowls Cam 44 Cam 47 Cam 211 Cam 212 Cam 217 Cam 230 Cam 252 Cam 253 C12 C15 C29 C33 EF30 EF33 EF37-56 EF58 EF60 EF61 EF65-8 EF70 EF72, tazza-bowl Cam 210, cup Cam 57, jars Cam 202 Cam 204 Cam 218 Cam 220 Cam 229 Cam 231 Cam 232 Cam 233 Cam 234 Cam 235 Cam 249 Cam 254 Cam 255 Cam 259 Cam 260 Cam 264 Cam 267 Cam 270 Cam 271 G3 G4 G5 G8 G16 G17 G18 G19 G20 G21 G30 G38 EF76 EF79 EF81-2 EF86 EF88-91 EF93-5 EF103-4 EF106 EF109-11 EF113-5 EF117-8 EF120 EF124-5 EF129 EF131-2 EF135 EF137-47 EF149-51 EF153-68 EF170-1 EF173-5 EF177-9, beakers Cam 85 Cam 109 Cam 115 Cam 117 Cam 118 Cam 119 H1 H3 H7 EF188 EF189, flagons Cam 136 EF196 EF197, lids K1 K3 K6 EF202-4, strainer bowls M1 M2, funnel N2, miniatures EF209 EF211-2
Occurrence: This fabric code is assigned to finer grog-tempered vessels that are well finished, usually with burnished or polished surfaces. The fabric was well distributed across the settlement. Platters, bowls, jars and beakers proliferate, although other forms were also produced in some numbers. The platters are mainly copies of terra nigra types, as is the tazza-bowl Cam 210. Many of the jars and beakers are decorated with cordons and some jar and bowl forms have pedestal bases. Although no complete pedestal vessels were found, a large number of pedestal fragments were recorded, demonstrating that this type of vessel was present in some quantity. Only one flagon was tentatively identified, as these were usually produced in the red-surfaced fabric variant. Other uncommon forms are strainer-bowls, triple vase cups, and two 'cylinders', which are either handles or tripod feet from a bowl. There are a large number of spindlewhorls made from reused potsherds, accounting for over 80% of the total number of ceramic spindlewhorls found. Of interest are the examples of graffiti, many of which are complex crosses, but there are at least six that may be literate. Thin-sectioning was carried out on several vessels from pyre-debris pit 15417 (KPG5), the results of which pointed to production of grog-tempered pottery on a regional, rather than local, scale.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 56, NRFRC code GAL AM 1
Date: Mid-1st to 2nd century AD
Forms: Gauloise 3 Gauloise 4 Gauloise 6
Occurrence: Vessels in this fabric first reached Heybridge in the mid-1st century AD and remained current until the 2nd century, after which the material present (despite its quantity) is apparently residual. It was not uniformly distributed; the highest incidence is in the central settlement zone. Very little occurs elsewhere, and none at all appears in the peripheral zone.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 49
Date: Mid-2nd to early/mid-3rd century
Form: Mortarium D11
Occurrence: Five sherds from a total of nine came from the Area W kilns, which were backfilled during the early 3rd century. The hammerhead-rimmed D11 form is also consistent with a later 2nd and early 3rd century date. This is somewhat later than the AD 120/25 to 160/75 date that Going provided at Chelmsford (1987, table 9).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 35, NRFRC code HAD RE 2
Date: Late 2nd to late 4th century+
Forms: Dishes B1 B2 B4 B3 B5 B6, bowl C8, bowl-jars E1.1 E2 E3 E5.3 E5.4, jars G9.3 G19 G40, beaker H34
Occurrence: Heybridge received this fabric from the late 2nd century AD, continuing to do so until the end of the Roman period, although apparently in declining volume from the early 4th century in marked contrast to Chelmsford. Dishes, closely followed by bowl-jars, were the main products in this ware. Some vessels were decorated with external and/or internal burnished lines. Identification by surface treatment alone may not be enough to separate Hadham wares from other black-surfaced wares produced in the Essex and Hertfordshire region. This may account for the unexpected fall off in the incidence of this fabric in the 4th century.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 18
Date: Mid- to late 2nd century AD
Forms: Bowl C1.2
Occurrence: Twelve sherds of this fabric were recovered, although only a single form was identified, a bowl with a reeded flange from pit fill 8802. The very fine appearance of the fabric prompted Rodwell (1978, 260-2) to suggest a Hadham source. Thin-sectioning of the bowl rim sherd has indeed confirmed this source for the fabric (report in archive).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 36, NRFRC code HAD RE 1
Date: Late 2nd/early 3rd to late 4th century+
Forms: Dishes B1.3 B2 B B4.2 B5.1 B6.1, bowl C8, bowl-jars E2.2 E5.4 E6.1, jars G9 G36, beakers H34 H35, flagon J3
Occurrence: As with Hadham black-surfaced ware, this fabric was recovered from all parts of the settlement. While overall quantities are lower, the range of forms is similar, again with dishes and bowl-jars predominating. Hadham grey ware first appeared during the second half of the 2nd century AD, but did not reach Heybridge in any significant quantity until the early 3rd century. Volume increased towards the end of the 3rd century, declining from the mid-4th century.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 4, NRFRC code HAD OX
Date: Mid-3rd to late 4th century+
Forms: Dishes B1 B10, bowl C8, mortarium D12, bowl-jars E3 E5.2 E6.1, jars G24 G26 G32 G38, beaker H17, flagons J8 J9 J (Symonds and Wade 1999, fig. 5.56, no. 157)
Occurrence: Large quantities of this fabric were present, except in the peripheral settlement zone where the fabric was scarce. While a later 3rd century date has been posited for its widespread distribution across parts of Essex (Going 1999a, 297), Hadham oxidised ware reached Heybridge earlier, almost certainly during the mid-3rd century. It continued to arrive in the settlement with no notable change in volume until the end of the Roman period. Forms include shallow dishes, flanged bowls, wide-mouthed bowl-jars and flagons. So-called 'Romano-Saxon' decoration (Roberts 1982), comprising stamped and bossed motifs, was present on a number of vessels, all likely to date to the second half of the 4th century.

Description: A grey (5Y 5/1) fabric with red-brown (5YR 5/6) margins and cream (2.5Y 8/4) exterior slip. As with all Hadham wares, the fabric is typified by inclusions of white quartz and black iron-rich grains, visible microscopically. Date: Early 2nd to late 4th century+
Forms: Beaker H1, flagon J3
Occurrence: This fabric is the least common of the Hadham wares, although it may be under-represented owing to poor survival of the slip. A large portion of a flagon was recovered from layer 6053, otherwise the fabric was thinly distributed.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 14
Date: Early 2nd to 3rd century
Forms: Mortarium D5.3, jar G26, beaker H17.1, flagons J3.3 J6
Occurrence: This fabric was widespread across the settlement. Flagons were common, along with frill-rimmed jars. Face-jars, found rarely in any fabric, can also be assigned to this ware. Going suggests that the white-slipped oxidised fabric was principally a mid-2nd century product (1987, 5; 1999a, 297). The evidence here tends to support this view, although the fabric also appears in later contexts, suggesting continued, but smaller scale production, at least as far as the 3rd century.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 37, NRFRC code HGW RE C
Date: Late 1st to late 2nd century AD (Davies et al. 1994, 82)
Forms: Beakers H1 H34
Occurrence: Sparsely represented, the fabric appeared first in a late 1st century AD pit, and then in features dating to the second half of the 2nd century. The H34 folded beaker in pit 16189, a form not attested in London or Chelmsford, is unusual in this fabric, and may represent the latest period of production.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 59, NRFRC code P&W AM 47
Date: Late 4th century+
Form: Kapitän 2
Occurrence: The fabric is rare in Britain, only occurring from the later 3rd century until c. AD 400. It is represented at Heybridge by just two sherds from the same vessel, and from the same context, in well 5806.

Description: Fine, powdery, very pale buff (10YR 8/2) fabric, with occasional quartz inclusions and flecks of mica at the surfaces.
Date: Late 1st century BC to early 1st century AD
Forms: Mortarium EF74 (Cam 191-type; Partridge 1981, fig. 79.7)
Occurrence: Four examples of this wall-sided gritless mortarium were recorded. The form is probably modelled on stone mortars, so the earliest examples do not have a bead rim at the top of the collar (Hartley 1981, 196). The vessel interior is smooth with no trituration grits. The exterior is frequently rilled. The example from pyre debris pit 15417 has a very small bead and appears to be one of the earliest in the series, likely to have been imported from Italy (K. Hartley pers. comm.), although production in the Rhineland is also possible. Thin-sectioning (report in archive) has confirmed a continental origin for three of the vessels (those from pits 4285, 14225 and 15417), the fourth, from ditch 11100, is more likely to have been locally made.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 11
Date: Mid-1st to early 2nd century AD
Forms: Bowl C (Marsh 1978, fig. 148, no. 14.3), beakers H1 H (Marsh 1978, fig. 6.10, no. 22.6), balsamarium Cam 196
Occurrence: This fabric group appeared principally in mid- to late 1st century AD contexts; a small sherd was recovered from a 2nd-century deposit, but is possibly residual. A total of six examples was found including a very fine thin-walled, everted-rimmed beaker, a product typical of the Braives workshop, and a bowl with paint or mica-coating over the rim. Identification of the bowl, from layer 5603, is uncertain. That it may be a 'Roanne' bowl imported from Gaul (cf. Tuffreau-Libre 1992, 50) remains a strong possibility (P. Tyers pers. comm.). The balsamarium foot (Cam 196) recovered from pit 11344 is an exception in this fabric group. The form is a fairly common occurrence in continental burials of the 1st century BC and is therefore a probable Gaulish import dating to the Late Iron Age.

Description: Hard, fairly sandy fabric, pale orange-brown (7.5YR 6/6) in colour with a grey core. Flecks of mica are visible on the surfaces.
Date: Late 1st century BC
Forms: Beaker H (Greene 1979, fig. 1.3)
Occurrence: Vessels in this fabric are thin-walled, wheel-thrown and decorated with a series of short, barbotine, vertical ridges. Two vessels are represented, the first has the remains of a cream slip externally, the second is in finer fabric, unslipped and with finely applied barbotine 'thorns'. One of the precursors of an Early Roman fine beaker tradition, these beakers are considered by Greene (1979, 4) to be Italian in origin and Republican in date, although the dating extends into the Augustan period. Vessels have been found in southern France (Tyers, in litt.), although site finds in Britain appear to be extremely rare. The sherds recovered are from two contexts dated to the late 1st century BC (see Vessels of intrinsic interest, Figure 295, nos 7 and 8).

Description: NRFRC code CAM AM 2
Date: Late 1st century BC
Form: Dressel 1 Dressel 2-4
Occurrence: This amphora fabric, and its nine variants, forms the second largest amphora group. Full details for each of the variants can be found in the archive. Although imports to Britain began in the first half of the 1st century BC, the fabric did not occur in any quantity at Heybridge until the last quarter of that century. Most of the fabric was found, residually, in deposits of early 1st century AD date. It occurred in all areas, although not uniformly spread throughout. Parts of three burnt Dressel 1 amphoras were found in pyre debris pit 15417, and other burnt sherds were recovered from several pyre sites.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 51, NRFRC code ROB SH
Date: Mid- to late 4th century+
Forms: Dishes B1 B5.3 B6, jars G27.1 G27.2
Occurrence: At Heybridge, this fabric first appeared during the mid-4th century, but was never common until the late 4th century. It is possible that small amounts of this fabric arrived at a slightly earlier date, but more often than not, any sherds in contexts earlier than c. AD 340/50 can be shown to be intrusive. The sources of this fabric are probably much the same as Going (1987, 10) has suggested; Harrold in Bedfordshire, the lower Nene Valley, or Lakenheath. The range of forms is broadly similar to that at Chelmsford and Colchester. Jars are by far the most common vessel class; by comparison, dishes are rare.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 19
Date: Late 1st to early 2nd century AD
Forms: Bowls C12.1 C23.3
Occurrence: This oxidised fabric was found principally in contexts dated late 1st to mid-2nd century. As the fabric is typically no later than early 2nd century, it is likely to be residual in later features. Forms are limited to two bowl types, both based on samian f30; decoration comprises a variety of stamped ring and lattice motifs. Very little of the fabric was recovered, though of note is a large part of a single C23 vessel found in ditch 10159 (KPG22). A possible Hadham source, based on distribution, was suggested by Rodwell (1978, 243) and Going (1999a, 297). Thin-sectioning of sherds from four contexts has confirmed a Hadham source for the fabric (report in archive).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 33, NRFRC code LON FR
Pottery of uncertain origin but similar to the London style in terms of decoration or fabric is also included here. In these cases, the fabric, always finely made, may be oxidised, having red-brown (5YR 5/4) surfaces and core, or reduced with dark grey or black surfaces (10YR 8/1, 2.5Y 3/0) and light (5Y 4/1) or dark (5Y 2.5/1) grey core. Sand tempering is usual, though one sherd, decorated with incised lines and compass-scribed circles, is grog-tempered.
Date: Late 1st to mid-2nd century AD
Forms: Bowls C4 C10.2 C12 C16 C (Monaghan 1987, Class 4H1.1), beaker H1
Occurrence: This fabric largely occurred in contexts dating to the late 1st to mid-2nd centuries. It appeared occasionally in late 2nd to early 3rd century contexts, but is likely to be residual by this time. Quantities are generally small. Forms include bowls based on samian f30, and globular beakers. London and North Kent are both likely sources, while the grog-tempered example was possibly made locally.

Description: NRFRC code SOL WH
Date: Undated
Form: Mortarium D2
Occurrence: This fabric code refers to specific vessels produced in the workshops of Verecundus at Soller. These mortaria are distinctive heavy vessels with a broad flange, very often stamped with the maker's name. Six large sherds were recovered from two contexts, 5340 and 5385, probably representing a single vessel. While the fabric is undated, as the pieces in one context are residual and unstratified in the other, the form was produced from the mid-2nd to mid-3rd centuries (Richardson 1986, 111).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 6, NRFRC code KOL CC
Date: Early to mid-2nd century AD
Forms: Beakers H20.1 H20.2 H23 H24
Occurrence: This fabric occurred principally in 2nd century AD contexts. In terms of weight, around twice as much is present in contexts dated to the second half of 2nd century as is present in contexts dated to the first half. This may represent something of a mid-2nd century peak in importation. Parts of the central and southern zones produced the highest amounts, comprising large sherds in good condition. The roughcast beaker was undoubtedly a popular form, although beakers decorated with a variety of barbotine animal and plant motifs are by no means unusual.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 5, NRFRC code LYO CC
Date: Mid- to late 1st century AD
Form: Beaker H (Greene 1979, fig. 14.1)
Occurrence: The fabric, recovered from just four contexts, is uncommon, more so than its imitator, early Colchester colour-coated ware (COLCE). It appeared in two stratigraphically reliable pits, 13824 and 18019, dated late 1st to early 2nd century. As this date extends beyond the pre-Flavian date suggested by Greene (1979, 18), both occurrences are probably residual. Although no rims were present, the sherds, some roughcast with sand, are likely to belong to beakers. This is in contrast to Chelmsford, where the sole form identified was the F1 cup (Going 1987, 5).

Description: NRFRC code MAH WH
Date: Late 2nd to 4th century
Forms: Mortaria D11 (Gillam 280) D (Gillam 284)
Occurrence: This fabric, absent at Chelmsford and present only in small quantities at Colchester, is similarly rare here. It appeared first in features dating to the second half of the 2nd century, though most examples were found in late 4th century contexts. These examples are likely to be residual, given the apparent decline in importation after the mid-4th century (Bidwell and Speak 1994, 210). Two forms were identified, both with hammerhead rims and probably dating to the 4th century, although the rim of one example (Gillam 284; Figure 297, no. 42) is decorated with red paint, a 3rd-century phenomenon (Tyers 1996, 123).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 54, NRFRC code MAY CO
Date: Late 4th century+
Form: Bowl C (Fulford and Bird 1975, fig. 1.8)
Occurrence: Sherds were recovered from four stratigraphically reliable contexts, 5207, 10683, 15023 and 24198. Fulford and Bird (1975, 179) place the importation of this fabric within a 4th to early 5th century date range. Two sherds came from late 4th century+ contexts, lending some support to this dating. The remaining stratified sherds were found in 3rd-century contexts, and should be considered intrusive. A single form, a bowl (see Figure 297, no. 37), was identified. At Colchester, forms included dishes, bowls and lid-seated jars, and lids and flagons were also attested (Symonds and Wade 1999, 463-7).

Description: NRCFC code CNG TN, Fabric 2A (Rigby 1989)
Date: First quarter of 1st century AD (Rigby 1989, 120)
Forms: Platters Cam 1 Cam 4 EF18 - EF22, bowls Cam 51 Cam 52B, beaker EF192
Occurrence: Vessels in this fabric are among the earliest continental imports and were Central Gaulish products. Forms are limited to platters, cups and bowls, although new platter forms (EF18-22), and a beaker (EF192), were identified (see The vessels). Cam 1 platters are the most commonly found vessel type in this fabric, reflected at Elms Farm with at least thirty-four examples. A substantial part of one platter appeared in pyre-debris pit 15417. A large number of vessels were found in part of the southern settlement zone, including three of the new platter forms, but the fabric was thinly distributed elsewhere. The Cam 210 tazza-bowl is represented only by body sherds, and carinated body sherds from layer 13576 may be from a Cam 50 bowl. Of interest are two spindlewhorls made from platter base sherds and a graffito inside the footring of a further platter (KPG8).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 16
Date: Mid-1st to early 3rd century AD
Forms: Bowl C12, flagon J1
Occurrence: White-slipped sherds whose origins could not be determined were placed in this category. The largest amount was in contexts dating to the late 1st and 2nd centuries, although smaller quantities were found in 3rd century and later contexts. Two forms were identified: a bowl based on samian f30, and a mid- to late 1st-century collared flagon. While fabrics could not be definitely sourced, Colchester is undoubtedly a likely candidate for at least some of them.

Description: This code is reserved for the fabrics of coarse sand-tempered vessels, which are usually handmade, occasionally wheel-finished. The colour varies from brown through to black, with much variation in individual examples. Inclusions can be varied, but consist mainly of ill-sorted sand, occasional rounded quartz, flint chips, some burnt, and sparse red ?iron oxide. The fabric can also include variable amounts of grog and the remains of vegetable matter.
Date: Mid- to late 1st century BC
Forms: Platter, bowls EF29 EF31, jars Cam 229 Cam 259 Cam 260 Cam 263 EF77 EF78 EF80 EF83-5 EF87 EF96 EF98 EF102 EF108, miniature EF208
Occurrence: The fabric continued handmade Middle Iron Age pottery traditions, with refinements such as wheel-finishing appearing towards the end of the 1st century BC. Handmade jars from Heybridge can be closely paralleled at Kelvedon (Rodwell 1988), where they are dated c. 50-20 BC. Wheel-finished vessels are closer to Camulodunum forms and can be decorated with cordons or shoulder grooves. The fabric was unevenly distributed, with the northern settlement zone providing the most examples and the central zone very few. The highest incidence is in contexts dated to the late 1st century BC, although the fabric occurred into the 1st century AD, probably residually.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 21
Date: Roman
Forms: Dishes B1 B6 B10, bowls C8 C12 C17 C22, tazza-bowl Cam 198, mortaria D1 D4 D13, jars G5 G26 G37, beakers H1 H7 H20 H21 H24 H35, flagons J2 J3 J5 J10, lid K5
Occurrence: This category comprises sand-tempered oxidised pottery that could not be sourced with any certainty. Some vessels may be Colchester or Hadham products, and a number of forms are typical of these industries. Most examples were undoubtedly manufactured locally. Pottery was recovered from contexts dating from the Late Iron Age to the late 4th century. Most sherds, however, were found in late 1st to late 3rd century contexts.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 17
This category includes a fabric with orange (7.5YR 6/6) surfaces, grey core (7.5YR 4/0) and red (2.5YR 5/8) slip. There are inclusions of fine quartz, and occasional mica is visible on the surface.
Date: Roman
Form: Bowl C7
Occurrence: The fabric occurred mainly as small or abraded body sherds, and found in contexts ranging in date from the later 1st to the late 4th century. A hemispherical flanged bowl dated late 2nd or early 3rd century was identified. While both fabric and form are superficially similar to Oxfordshire red colour-coated and Hadham oxidised wares, the piece may have greater affinity with fabrics encountered in East Anglia (e.g. Caister Fabric RBSL; Darling and Gurney 1993, 161). The upper surface of the flange is decorated with a white-painted zigzag motif (Figure 296, no. 17).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 15
Date: Mid-1st to late 3rd century AD
Forms: Tazza-bowl Cam 198, mortaria D11 D13, jars G26 Cam 207, flagons J3 J4, triple vase S2 Occurrence: This fabric group comprises coarse white-slipped sherds of uncertain origin. Much of it was recovered from 2nd and early 3rd-century contexts and, following a sharp decline after the late 3rd century, from contexts dated to the end of the 4th century. The forms mainly comprise mortaria, frill-rimmed jars and flagons, and were typical products of the Colchester and Hadham industries. The sources for some examples might be found there, while others may have been of more local manufacture.

Description: Both fabrics are grey (10YR 5/1) with white (10YR 7/2) slip on exterior surface. The coarse variant (MWSGS) has inclusions of frequent quartz with mica and occasional flint. The fine fabric (MWSGF) is similarly tempered, but is smooth or powdery to the touch.
Date: Late 2nd to late 4th century
Forms: Bowl C16.1, flagon
Occurrence: Just sixteen sherds were recovered, mainly comprising body sherds possibly from flagons. Cordoned neck sherds and a four-ribbed handle, probably from a flagon copying double-handled whiteware flagons (Cam 161 and Cam 163) were recovered from pit 11316. A bowl with a reeded rim was also identified (pit 10018).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 2, NRFRC code LNV CC
Date: Early 3rd to late 4th century
Forms: Dishes B1.2 B2 B B5.1 B6.1 B6.2 B10, bowls C8 C11 C18 C (Howe et al. 1980, NV97), mortarium D12, bowl-jar E4, jar G (Perrin 1999, fig. 65.275), beakers H21 H23 H24 H25 H27 H28 H32 H33 H34.2 H39 H41 H42.1, flagon J9, lid K7
Occurrence: The colour-coated products of the Nene Valley pottery industry were a major feature at Heybridge. Indeed, the quantity recovered is more than double that of Colchester colour-coated ware, although this may be explained partly by the production in Colchester ware of forms lighter in weight (Symonds and Wade 1999, 278). The fabric was recovered from all parts of the settlement, and first appeared in small quantities during the first half of the 3rd century or at the end of the 2nd. The main period of importation, however, occurred after the late 3rd century, reaching a peak by the second half of the 4th century. A far wider range of forms than those supplied by Colchester was provided in this fabric. Dishes, which were used mainly during the 4th century, are well represented. Jars, not readily associated with the dinner table and therefore not required in a colour-coated fabric, were less popular. Beakers, especially, often carry barbotine or painted decorative motifs.

Description: A white (10YR 8/1) fabric with moderate and well-sorted clear or white quartz. Surfaces are dark grey (2.5YR 4/0), streaky in appearance.
Date: Mid-3rd to mid-4th century
Occurrence: This is the least common of all the Nene Valley fabrics. The ware first appeared during the first half of the 3rd century, suggesting that the fabric was reaching Heybridge along with other Nene Valley products. The fabric occurred infrequently up to the later 4th century, but is probably residual after the early 4th century, when production declined (Perrin 1999, 78).

Description: NRFRC code LNV PA
Date: Late 2nd to late 4th century
Forms: Bowl C (Howe et al. 1980, NV97, NV99), jar G (Howe et al. 1980, NV95), flagon J (Howe et al. 1980, NV96)
Occurrence: This fabric, absent at Chelmsford, was found infrequently at Elms Farm. At Colchester, the fabric occurred first between c. AD 275 and 300 (Symonds and Wade 1999, 289). Its initial appearance at Heybridge was very much earlier. Two bowls were found in late 2nd to early 3rd century features, while a near-complete narrow-necked jar or flask was recovered from early to mid-3rd century pit 14758. However, most sherds were from contexts of the late 3rd century onwards.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 24, NRFRC code LNV WH
Date: Mid-3rd to mid-4th century (Going 1987, 6)
Forms: Mortaria D14.1 D14.2 D (Hartley and Perrin 1999, fig. 79, type M71) D (Perrin and Hartley 1996, fig. 116, type M128)
Occurrence: The fabric was uniformly distributed and occurred in contexts dated mid-3rd to late 4th centuries. Much of it is residual in late 4th century+ contexts. Forms include grooved-flange types common to Chelmsford. Wall-sided and hammerhead-rimmed forms with grooved flanges manufactured in the 3rd century were also found, producing a range of forms corresponding more closely with the range from Colchester.

Description: NRFRC code NOG WH 4
Date: Mid- to late 1st century AD
Form: Mortarium D1
Occurrence: Three sherds from separate vessels were recovered (layer 5603, slot fill 5843 and pit fill 20108). Two are stamped with the potter's name, 'Q. Valerius Veranius', who produced mortaria from c. AD 65 to AD 100 (Hartley 1999, 197). The third is stamped Q. Valerius Se-- (see Mortarium stamps). It is interesting that the three sherds found in this fabric each have maker's stamps; undoubtedly, plain rim and body sherds have been assigned to other fabrics, either Colchester or unsourced buff wares. The similarity between north Gaulish mortaria and those produced in south-east England has led to discussions on their provenance (Hartley 1977, 5-17; 1999, 197).

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 20
Date: Late 1st to early 2nd century AD
Occurrence: The presence of this reduced ware was confined to a single stamped body sherd recovered from post-hole 17024, appropriately dating to the late 1st century or first half of the 2nd century.

Description: NRFRC codes NOG WH 1 and NOG WH 3
Date: First half of 1st century AD
Forms: Beakers Cam 113 EF195, flagons Cam 154 Cam 161
Occurrence: The same forms appear in both fabric variations; each contains sand that is more noticeable in the fine sandy fabric, NGWFS. White fine ware vessels generally have a burnished or polished rim and exterior and zones of rouletting. The beaker form Cam 113 occurred frequently in Britain, and this is also much the case in Essex and thus at Heybridge. Joining body sherds in pit 19104 (KPG10) come from a rouletted beaker which has a vertical barbotine line applied over the rouletting. Other forms are restricted to flagons, those represented are the two-handled Cam 161 and the ring-necked Cam 154, although, generally, only handles and body sherds have been identified. The fabric was thinly distributed, but there are higher incidences in the southern settlement zone. Both fabric variants appear occasionally in contexts dated to the late 1st century BC, but were more common in the first half of the 1st century AD.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 32, NRFRC code UPC FR
Date: Late 1st to late 2nd century AD
Forms: Platter A4, dish B10, bowls C1 C2 C22 C (Monaghan 1987, Types 2H2, 4H2, 5B6, 5B0), cup F (Monaghan 1987, Type 6C1), jars G19 G40, beakers H1 H5 H6.1 H6.2 H6.3 H7 H10.1 H13 H26 H (Monaghan 1987, Type 2A2)
Occurrence: Grey ware was a major product of the North Kent industries, and this fabric occurred at Heybridge from the late 1st century AD until the end of the 2nd century. The mid-2nd century was something of a boom period for the industry (Monaghan 1987, 219), and quantities reaching Heybridge dramatically increased at this time. The fabric was widely distributed, with the central zone producing particularly high amounts. A far fuller range of products than is present at Chelmsford is represented here. In addition to the ubiquitous barbotine-dot decorated poppy-head beakers, platters or shallow dishes, and bowls were recovered, along with jars and flasks.

Description: A fine and soft sand-tempered fabric with frequent silver mica visible on orange-brown (2.5YR 5/6-8 to 6/6-8) surfaces, dark brown or grey (2.5YR 2.5/0 to 3/0) core.
Date: Late 1st to mid/late 2nd century AD
Form: Bowls C6 C12
Occurrence: In contrast to the reduced ware, the oxidised fabric occurred in small quantities. It was recovered from most excavated areas, recorded in late 1st and 2nd century contexts and residually in those of the 3rd century.

Description: Fabric as NKO with additional white (10YR 8/2) slip on exterior surface.
Date: Late 1st to early 2nd century AD
Occurrence: Recorded as undiagnostic body sherds only, this fabric is identical to North Kent oxidised ware and, with the exception of a darker core, Hoo ware (Davies et al. 1994, 38). A North Kent origin therefore seems likely.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 30, NRFRC code OXF PA
Date: Late 4th century+
Forms: Bowl C (1977, Types P17, P24 and P27), bowl-jar E (1977, Type P32), ?beaker H
Occurrence: As at Chelmsford, Oxfordshire parchment ware is far from common. Apart from a possible beaker, all of the forms are either bowls or bowl-jars. The carinated bowl P24 was the most numerous. This is long-lived, current from the mid-3rd century onwards (1977, 87) but, like most Oxfordshire products, only present in late 4th century contexts. The distribution of this fabric was mainly confined to the central settlement zone and part of the northern zone.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 3, NRFRC code OXF RS
Date: Mid- to late 4th century+
Forms: Dish B10.2, bowls C8 C (1977, Types C40 C41 C45 C46 C47 C48 C49 C52 C55 C59 C61 C68 C69 C70 C71 C75 C79 C81 C83 C84 C93), mortaria D9.1 D12.2, bowl-jar E4.1, cup F (1977, Type C110), beaker H (1977, Types C25 C37 C38), flagon J (1977, Type C11)
Occurrence: Measured by weight, this is the most common of the latest Roman fabrics, mostly occurring in contexts of late 4th century date and widely distributed across the settlement. The main concentrations were in the central zone. Bowls are the most common class, several of which (1977, Types C46, C52, C61, C79 and C84) were only developed from the mid-4th century onwards. Beakers, a flagon and a cup were also identified. It is also noteworthy that the overall range of forms appears to be far more diverse compared to Chelmsford (Going 1987, 3). Forms that are exclusively 3rd century have yet to be identified in Essex, although one of the bowl forms is dated by Young (1977, Type C59) to the first half of the 4th century.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 13, NRFRC code OXF WS
Date: Mid-3rd to late 4th century+
Forms: Bowl C (1977, Type WC3), mortaria D3 D6 D7
Occurrence: As for the red-slipped ware, this fabric was far more common at Heybridge than at Chelmsford, with the main concentration again occurring in the central zone. Nearly all of the identifiable forms are mortaria, which correspond with Young (1977) Types WC4, WC5, WC6 and WC7. At Chelmsford, the fabric was only observed in mid- to late 4th century contexts (Going 1987, 5). At Colchester, the fabric first appeared in contexts dating to c. AD 300. The presence of WC4 and WC5-type mortaria indicates that the white-slipped ware was reaching Heybridge from the mid-3rd century onwards. Continued supply into the period c. AD 350-400+ is indicated by the presence of WC6-type mortaria. Since the bulk of the sherds were recovered from contexts belonging to the late 4th century, it would seem that the main period of importation was from the mid-4th century onwards.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 25, NRFRC code OXF WH
Date: Mid-3rd to late 4th century+
Forms: Mortaria D5.1 D5.3 D6 D7 D9.1 D (1977, Types M17, M18, M22), flagon J (1977, Types W15, W25)
Occurrence: The fabric was found over much of the settlement. As at Chelmsford (Going 1987, 6), Oxfordshire white ware reached Heybridge from the mid-3rd century onwards. However, most occurred in contexts dated to the second half of the 4th century. Forms comprise mortaria, commonly Young's M22, and include types also present at Chelmsford and Colchester. Flagons were also founh3d at Heybridge; these are not present at either Chelmsford or Colchester.

Descriptions: NRFRC code CAM PR 1, Fabric 1 (Peacock 1977a), NRFRC code CNG PR 3, Fabric 3 (Peacock 1977a), Fabric 2C (Rigby 1989), Fabric 5 (Peacock 1977a), NRFRC code IMP PR 6, Fabric 6 (Peacock 1977a)
Date: Late 1st century BC to 2nd century AD
Forms: Platters Cam 17 EF23 EF24, dish B (Peacock 1977a, fig. 3.14), lid
Occurrence: Pompeian-red ware was a widespread, but thinly distributed, pottery type in Britain, and was also extensively copied. Most British site finds are confined to plain-rimmed platters and lids (Cam 17). Peacock (1977a) identified seven fabrics, four of which occurred at Heybridge. The most common with seven examples is Fabric 1, the characteristic 'black sand' fabric from Campania. Forms present are platters; a single Cam 17 and two examples with a bead rim, EF23, an early type, probably Augustan. There are five occurrences of Fabric 3; vessels in this fabric continued to be imported into the 2nd century AD (Tyers 1996, 158). Interestingly, both forms identified, a dish (cf. Peacock 1977a, fig. 3.14) and a platter with a mica-coated, reeded collar, EF24, are unusual. Fabric 5 originated in Colchester, and is represented in the assemblage by a lid and a possible platter. Pompeian-red ware occurred sporadically, with most examples appearing in part of the southern zone. A large section from one bead-rimmed platter came from pyre debris pit 15417 (KPG5), its fabric (Fabric 1) still easily identifiable despite the high degree of burning.

Description: NRFRC code OVW WH
Date: Late 4th century+
Forms: Dishes B3 (Fulford 1975b, Type 109) B6 (Fulford 1975b, Type 87), jar G27 (Fulford 1975b, Type 137)
Occurrence: Portchester D ware seems to be more common at Heybridge than at Chelmsford or Colchester. The bulk of the fabric was recovered from contexts securely dated to the later 4th century, and there is very little evidence for the fabric reaching Heybridge before c. AD 360/70. Most stratified sherds occurred in the central settlement zone. This relatively large amount is to be expected given the scale of late activity in this part of the settlement. Forms are limited to bead-and-flanged or straight-sided dishes, and jars with rilled bodies.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 60, NRFRC code PUL SA
Date: Second half of the 2nd century AD
Forms: Cups f27 f33
Occurrence: Very little of this British-made fabric was found, amounting to a maximum of three vessels. Three sherds, possibly from the same cup, came from dump layers 5602, 5607 and 5610, and a fourth came from layer 17196. Thin-sectioning (report in archive) has confirmed an origin at Pulborough.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 53, NRFRC code SOB GT
Date: Late 1st century BC to mid-1st century AD
Forms: Platter Cam 32, dish B10, bowls Cam 43 Cam 211 Cam 246 C29 EF69 EF71 EF73, jars Cam 218 Cam 220 Cam 221 Cam 249 Cam 256 G19, beakers Cam 92 Cam 115 Cam 116 Cam 118 EF187, flagon Cam 168
Occurrence: The fabric code is assigned to grog-tempered vessels with red-coloured surfaces, usually bowls, beakers or flagons, although the fabric is not restricted to these forms. Dishes, bowls, jars and beakers are well represented. Other vessel types appeared as single examples, although where the fabric has been identified it generally occurred as body sherds. Flagons are usually recognised only by their handles and this may explain their apparent low incidence. The fabric was not uniformly distributed, with larger amounts in the northern and peripheral zones.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 48
Date: Late 3rd to late 4th century
Forms: Dish B6.2, bowl C1, bowl-jars E2 E6.1, jars G21 G24.1 G24.2 G24.3 G28 G34 G36 G37
Occurrence: This flint-tempered fabric, as at Chelmsford (Going 1987, 10), first appeared in significant amounts during the late 3rd century AD. It occurred in earlier 3rd-century contexts in very small quantities, but is intrusive in such cases. The bulk of this fabric was recovered from 4th-century features, with the emphasis very much on the second half of the 4th century. While production of the ware in the Moulsham Street kilns at Chelmsford ended by the mid-4th century (Going 1987, 10), the appearance of Rettendon ware at Heybridge after this date indicates continued production elsewhere in Essex. Indeed, manufacture of this distinctive flint-tempered fabric is attested at Elms Farm in the 4th century. The fabric was recovered from all parts of the settlement.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 12, NRFRC code ROB MD
Date: Late 1st to early 3rd century AD
Forms: Platter A (Davies et al. 1994, fig. 115.739), bowls C2 C16 C19.2 Cam 41 C (Symonds and Wade 1999, fig. 5.22, no. 144), beakers H1 H2 H26.1, flagon J5, lamp
Occurrence: This fabric, coarser than imported mica-dusted ware (IMIC), was thinly distributed, except for part of the southern zone where it was found in comparatively high quantities. At Heybridge, the fabric initially appeared earlier than at Colchester, where it is dated AD 110 to AD 225 (Symonds and Wade 1999, 245). It occurred first in contexts dated to the mid- to late 1st century AD, but never became common until the end of the 1st and beginning of the 2nd centuries. The ware continued to be deposited up to the early 3rd century, though not in significant volume after the mid-2nd century. Bowls with reeded rims are well represented, as are everted-rimmed beakers. A handle from a bowl or patera (see Vesssls of intrinsic interest, Figure 296, no. 19), and an open lamp or 'crusy' (from pit 15229) were also made in this fabric. The latter is a copy of bronze lamps of Claudio-Neronian date (Greene 1993, 40-1), more commonly found on military sites.

Description: NRFRC codes CAD AM and P&W AM 16
Date: Early 1st century AD to early 2nd century AD
Form: Beltrán 1 (Dressel 7-11)
Occurrence: This fabric was relatively common, although its distribution across the settlement was not uniform. It first appeared in quantity in the first half of the 1st century AD. Quantities remained high until the early 2nd century, although the fabric is probably residual at Heybridge from the later 1st century. The sole form identified is the Beltrán 1, which was superseded by Beltrán 2 during the later 1st century AD.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 60
Forms: Platter ?f18, cup f33
Occurrence: This fabric code was assigned to the few sherds that could not be identified to specific fabric type, mainly due to the small size of the sherds concerned.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 47
Date: Early/mid-1st to late 4th century+
Forms: Platters A1 A2 A4 Cam 28 Cam 32, dishes B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9, bowls C1 C3 C7 C16 C19 C28 C29 C31 C33, mortaria D3 D4 D7, bowl-jars E2 E4 E5 E6, jars G3 G5 G6 G8 G9 G10 G16 G17 G18 G19 G20 G21 G22 G23 G24 G25 G26 G28 G29 G31 G34 G35 G36 G38 G40 G42 G43 G44 G45 Cam 204 Cam 207 Cam 231 Cam 232 Cam 241 Cam 259 Cam 291, beakers H1 H6 H7 H8 H13 H21 H26 H30 H32 H33 H34 H35 H39 Cam 117 Cam 119, flagons J2 Cam 365 Cam 370, lids K3 K6, cauldron L2
Occurrence: Sandy grey wares appeared during the first half of the 1st century AD, but in relatively small quantities, only occurring in any significant volume after the late 1st century. Sandy grey wares were found in decreasing quantities during the 3rd century and first half of the 4th, after which quantities noticeably rose, although much of the fabric may well be residual. A wide range of forms was produced, with jars predominating. Late Iron Age or Early Roman forms, more frequently produced in grog-tempered fabrics, such as pedestal jars and platters, were made occasionally in sandy grey ware. Flagons and mortaria were rarely produced, perhaps never featuring in many potters' repertoires. Single mortarium sherds occurred in nine contexts. One mortarium sherd, from pit 20193, is white-slipped and it is conceivable that the others were once slipped, too. The bulk of the sandy grey wares were locally made. Vessels in this fabric were manufactured at Heybridge and products from the kilns include bowl-jars and lid-seated jars. The fabric was well represented, with the highest incidence in the central zone.

Description: Soft, smooth fabric with few inclusions, light reddish-brown (5YR 6/6) in colour with occasional mica, especially on internal surfaces. Some sherds have a cream (10YR 7/4) slip, although this has not survived well.
Date: Mid-1st century AD
Forms: Beaker H (Rigby 1989, fig. 68, type 6C) EF190 EF191
Occurrence: This fabric code refers to vessels first identified at Verulamium, made in a fine fabric and copying Gallo-Belgic forms (Rigby 1989, 195). The vessels at Heybridge also appear to be copying these forms, in particular Cam 113-type butt beakers, but the fabric, although fine, is not necessarily the Silty Ware identified at Verulamium. Thin-sectioning, however, has revealed that the fabric of these sherds compares well with Verulamium Silty Ware, and perhaps the nuances within the fabric show regional influence (report in archive). Decoration consists of cordons and zones of incised lines in imitation of rouletting. The fabric occurred infrequently in the central and southern zones.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 10, NRFRC code SOB GL
Date: Late 1st to early 2nd century AD
Form: Bowl C12
Occurrence: The fabric appeared mainly in contexts dating to after the mid-2nd century AD, and must be residual in all these cases. It was present in just one feature (pit 20066) contemporary with its conventional production date range of late 1st to early 2nd century (Arthur 1978, 300-1). Forms were confined to bowls imitating samian f30, decorated body sherds of which were present.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 60, NRFRC codes LGF SA and MON SA
Date: Mid-1st to early 2nd century AD
Forms: Platters f15/17 f15/17R f16 f18 f18R f19 Ritterling 1, dishes f18/31 f23 f42, bowls f29 f30 f35/36 f36 f37 Curle 11 Ritterling 12, cups f24 f27 f27g f33 f33a f35 ?f46 Ritterling 5 Ritterling 8 Ritterling 9, beaker f67, inkwell Ritterling 13
Occurrence: The bulk of the south Gaulish samian originated in the factories at La Graufesenque, in keeping with the rest of Britain. The few remaining pieces were from Banassac and Montans. The range of forms is large, with a higher than usual number of the globular beaker f67, and an uncommon form, the inkwell, completing the assemblage. Most of the ware appears in contexts of late 1st century and early 2nd century date, with some residuality apparent. South Gaulish samian was evenly distributed across the settlement.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 44
Date: Mid-1st to late 4th century+
Forms: Platters A2 A4 Cam 28, dishes B7 B8, bowls C28 C29 C33, jars G3 G5 G22 G23 G36 G37 G42 G43 G44 G45 Cam 252 Cam 259 Cam 260 Cam 270 Cam 271 Cam 272 EF126 EF178, lids K3 K5, cauldron L1
Occurrence: This fabric was widely distributed, with very large amounts in the central zone. A number of storage jar ovens account for much of this localised large amount. Apart from jars, a range of platters, dishes and bowls was manufactured, most of which derive from Late Iron Age grog-tempered prototypes and whose presence did not extend far beyond the early 2nd century AD.

Description: NRCFC code GAB TN 1
Date: First half of 1st century AD
Forms: Platters Cam 2 Cam 5 Cam 8 Cam 9 Cam 12 Cam 13 Cam 16, cup Cam 56, beaker Cam 120
Occurrence: Vessels in terra nigra were among the latest Gallo-Belgic imports, gradually superseding terra rubra from the Tiberian period onwards. Platters, usually Cam 16, can occur in contexts as late as AD85 (Rigby 1989, 123), although only a single example of Cam 16 was recorded. The form with the highest incidence is the long-lived platter Cam 2 with at least forty-two examples. Platters are by far the most common vessel class, but examples of the cup Cam 56 also occurred, and the Cam 120 carinated beaker was represented by body sherds. This beaker form commonly occurred in Britain from c. AD 60 (Tyers 1996, 166). Three vessels carry makers' stamps, which usually only appear on the later forms. The fabric was thinly distributed across the settlement, with larger amounts occurring in the southern zone.

Description: NRCFC code GAB TR 1A, GAB TR 1B, GAB TR 1C, GAB TR 2, GAB TR 3
Date: Late 1st century BC to mid-1st century AD
Forms: Platters Cam 2 Cam 3 Cam 4 Cam 5 Cam 8 Cam 12/13, dish EF27, cup Cam 56, beakers Cam 78/79 Cam 79 Cam 82 Cam 84 Cam 91 Cam 112 EF193 EF194 (Holwerda 1941, no. 104)
Occurrence: Production of terra rubra probably commenced as early as c. 20 BC, influenced by Arretine pottery types, and was replaced gradually by terra nigra during the first half of the 1st century AD. The fabric has been divided into three main variants, initially by Hawkes and Hull (1947), subsequently modified (Rigby 1973), and more recently for the King Harry Lane site (Rigby 1989, 121-6). These variants are chronologically significant, although most of the terra rubra from Elms Farm has not been so precisely recorded. The fabric occurred thinly across the settlement, with higher concentrations in the southern zone. There is a greater range of forms in this fabric than for terra nigra. Butt beakers (Cam 112) and platters are well represented, although girth and pedestal beakers are few, with just four types recorded. Girth and pedestal beakers are typologically early forms and are thus uncommon British site finds. One butt beaker (EF194) has round bosses applied over the rouletted decoration. Vessels with applied bosses are not common, but several examples have been found in southern Britain.

Description: Pottery assigned to this category was generally either very burnt or abraded, or very small, thus making identifications impossible.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 29
Date: Late 1st century AD
Form: Beaker H1.6
Occurrence: The fabric was recovered in small quantities in contexts that provide a later 1st century AD date for vessel use and deposition. As at Chelmsford, a single form was recorded, the ring-and-dot beaker. This form was also manufactured at Colchester (Bidwell and Croom 1999, 472).

Description: A sandy pink-red (5YR 7/6) fabric with pale yellow or cream (10YR 7/4) slip, thinly applied. Texture and inclusions are identical to VRW.
Date: Early 2nd to mid-3rd century AD
Occurrence: This fabric was recovered from four contexts, two of which are cleaning layers in the peripheral zone. The remaining contexts, layer 13568 and gully fill 13734, dating to the 2nd and 3rd centuries, yielded eight sherds, including a ?flagon handle.

Description: A hard grey-white (10YR 8/1) fabric with frequent sand inclusions producing a hackly fracture. The fabric is identical to VRW, save for a dark grey (2.5Y 4/0) exterior surface.
Date: Undated
Occurrence: The fabric was present as body sherds only, possibly from a jar or flagon. It occurred residually in Period 4 pit 16088. Symonds and Wade (1999, 357) suggest that grey-surfaced Verulamium products tended to be among the earliest to be manufactured, a proposal that cannot be substantiated here.

Description: Chelmsford Fabric 26, NRFRC code VER WH
Date: Mid-1st to mid-2nd century AD
Forms: Bowls C16 C (Davies et al. 1994, fig. 44.245), mortaria D1 Cam 195A, flagons J3 J6 J11
Occurrence: Products from the Verulamium region, principally mortaria and flagons, reached Heybridge from the mid-1st century AD until the mid-2nd century. The fabric continued to be deposited up to the mid-3rd century, although given the collapse of the Brockley Hill industry in c. AD160 (Going 1987, 19), its appearance in these instances is surely residual. The fabric was recovered from all parts of the settlement. The mortarium was clearly the most popular of Verulamium products, accounting for over half of the total weight. Heybridge provided only a minor market for the industry, with the volume of imports never approaching that attained by the Colchester industry.

Description: White fabrics that could not be placed easily in specific white or buff ware categories were assigned this code.
Form: Jar G26
Occurrence: This group mainly comprised body sherds. Small rim and handle sherds, most probably belonging to flagons, are also present. The single form identified is a jar with a frilled rim. While this 3rd and 4th century form is typical of the Hadham industry (Going 1987, 25-6), a local source may perhaps be more appropriately applied here on fabric grounds.

Description: This fabric group encompasses Dressel 2-4 fabrics that are not shared with Dressel 1 (AITAL, ABSAN, see above). Full descriptions for each fabric variant can be found in the archive.
Date: Late 1st century BC to late 1st century AD
Form: Dressel 2-4
Occurrence: Very little of the assemblage was assigned to this fabric group. Most occurred in contexts of early 1st century AD date in part of the southern settlement zone.