Wiltshire, P. E J. and Murphy, P. L. (1993). An analysis of microfossils and macrofossils from waterlogged deposits at Slough House and Chigborough Farms, near Heybridge, Essex.

Samples of waterlogged deposits from Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman and Saxon wells were analysed for macrofossils and pollen, yielding complementary information on local, extra-local and regional vegetation. The results indicate open landscapes in the vicinity from the Bronze Age onwards, with a long-term reduction in local and regional woodland (predominantly of oak). There was, however, some evidence for phases of local scrub development after abandonment of the features. Although taxa characteristic of hedge was well represented, conclusive evidence for hedged landscape was not obtained. Local vegetation at all periods was of weedy grassland with aquatic and wetland vegetation in and around the features themselves, implying predominantly pastoral economies. Nevertheless, both macrofossils of flax/linseed came from Bronze Age and Saxon features and hemp pollen was present in one Saxon well.