Following the discovery of Roman masonry buildings on his farm in 1948, Harold Cooper excavated, fieldwalked, and recorded discoveries in field drain trenches over the next 25 years.
Evidence of three buildings, floors, yards, gullies, ditches and hearths were found. A magnetometer survey helped to elucidate other features in the field.
The finds were numerous and include model tools of votive type along with evidence of bronze-working, iron-working and statuette manufacture. They suggest a rural religious site, with occasional market fairs.
The site was occupied over a long period, from the late Iron Age to the 4th century, with a decline in the second half of that century.
Full reference:
Jo Draper, 1985. 'Excavations by Mr H.P. Cooper on the Roman Site at Hill Farm, Gestingthorpe, Essex', East Anglian Archaeology 25
Jo Draper, 1985. 'Excavations by Mr H.P. Cooper on the Roman Site at Hill Farm, Gestingthorpe, Essex', East Anglian Archaeology 25