2026-09-10T23:46:26+01:00https://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/jsonhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/xmlhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/rsshttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/atomhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/kmlhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/geojsonhttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results/format/qrcodehttps://marinefinds.org.uk/database/search/results21100finds-234234MAS-O100234BARRELPOST MEDIEVALThis find comprises of the remains of three to four wooden barrels, which were buried in the intertidal sandy substrate of a pleasure beach. The action of the tide revealed the barrels and it is unclear how much of the barrels remain. End of the staves, lengths of timber making the sides of the barrel, are visible and clearly degraded. In some cases these give the appearance of flaring outwards, implying that only the lower portion of the barrel remains. At least one barrel exhibits inwardly projecting staves, suggesting more than half of the barrel remains. There is some evidence for the remains of posts protruding from the barrels which otherwise give the appearance of having been filled with sand and stone. The term cask is also used to describe barrels specifically intended for the storage of liquid, most commonly alcohol such as wine and beer. It has not been possible at this stage to ascertain the exact size and type of the barrels comprising this find, though it is estimated that they are of a small to medium size such as a Rundlet or Tierce. What the barrels were originally used for is not readily discernible, though it does appear that they have been repurposed for another function. The presence of posts within the barrels and their relative positions, laid out in a rough rectangle, suggests they used to accommodate foundation posts of a possible structure. This may have been a simple platform for bathers or anglers or something more complex such as a temporary jetty or pontoon. An image, submitted by the finder, dating to the 1850s shows structures in approximately the same position as the barrels, which may indicate the structure previously supported by the barrels. Alternatively they may relate someway to the practicing for the D-Day Landings in Normandy, which incorporated the beach and construction of landing pontoons. It has not been possible to firmly date this find from the available data, but given their condition and the preservation of the timber elements a more recent, post-medieval, date is tentatively suggested.Barrels have been in use since at least the time of the Roman Republic, with evidence suggesting their use from 350 BC or earlier (https://www.riverdrive.co/history-of-barrels/ accessed March 2020). Their suitability as water tight containers meant that, until the 20th century, they were essential for the transport and storage of food stuffs, water and alcohol. The whiskey distilling industry still uses traditional oak barrels extensively in the ageing process. The term barrel itself is a general term and there are many different types of barrel, determined by size, such as a firkin (c. 30 litres) and a tun (c. 954 litres). Container21413MAS2018-09-27T00:00:00ZStorage container. Food and liquid storage containerSite2018-10-15T09:58:04Z2020-03-30T14:21:28Z23441482835PAS5C5037EF001C03250003DownNW653654.66413092-5.64553486soils.bike.luck10MAS MASMASWood11988Iron11019Hand madeIncompletePoorROMANx41218MODERNx41047Coastal walking234_20180927_192948.jpg604images/MASPT2024-10-09T14:17:10.274Zfinds-1010MAS-100010FOOD AND DRINK SERVING CONTAINERROMANThis is a group of nine sherds of ceramic, of which six are samian ware (also called terra sigillata). Samian pottery is a mould-made, glossy red, mass-produced, fine tableware. It was first manufactured in northern Italy at the end of the 1st century BC, however by AD 43 production had moved to Gaul (France). The production of samian ware ended around AD 260. The following interpretation is based on the photographs associated with this record. An examination of the fabric and surviving decorative elements may provide further information on the region of manufacture or production centre and the identity of the potter, which can indicate a more accurate date of production. Images 1 & 4: A sherd of the base of a samian vessel, form unknown. The easily legible name-stamp is that of Advocisus who worked at Lezoux (Central Gaul) c. AD 160 to AD 200. Images 2 & 5: Three decorated samian sherds that all appear to be from form 37 bowls and are suspected to be from Central Gaul. All three have surviving decorative elements. Image 3: This smaller samian base sherd was probably part of a cup form. Interestingly, it has been observed that samian cup forms are very strongly represented in the Essex region, especially at rural sites, to a degree not seen elsewhere (Willis 2004). Image 5 (top right): The form of this non-samian sherd suggests that it is of 1st or earlier 2nd century AD date. Images 6 & 8: This is a Roman jug rim that was probably made in Britain. Image 7: This is the rim of an imported Roman amphora. Amphora are a type of wheel-thrown container used for the transport and storage of liquids and dry products. As an inexpensive container for the transport of goods, they were broken up and discarded at their destination rather than being reused.Samian vessels are known to occur in structured deposits associated with water, and therefore are interpreted to have played a role in the activities undertaken at such locations (Willis 2004). In some instances, in Britain, samian ware was a selected and prominent element within assemblages deposited in wells or shafts and other wet places (Willis 2004). Food preparation and consumption2121-1003001037/173MAS2016-09-14T00:00:00ZContainer by functionWith finder2016-09-28T09:50:33Z2017-04-13T10:05:01Z10952813925PAS57BC1B67001A23219687EssexTQ818251.507938610.60677648workroom.fragments.went10MAS MASMASCeramic10539OtherMouldedFragmentGoodROMANx41218ROMANx41218x41218Coastal walkingSubmitted as wreck to the Receiver of WreckMAS100010a.jpg27images/MASMF2024-10-09T14:13:34.321Z