Aerial survey in Essex has revealed a number of elongated enclosures interpreted as either long barrows or mortuary enclosures of Neolithic date. Excavation of one of these sites at Rivenhall in 1986 produced finds of flintwork and pottery which help to substantiate this hypothesis. A surface collection survey of the field containing the enclosure produced Mesolithic and Neolithic flintwork. A short discussion considers the Essex sites in their wider context.

A long cropmark enclosure at Springfield, Essex, interpreted as a Neolithic cursus, was investigated between 1979-85 to confirm its date and establish a site sequence. The enclosure was c. 690 m long and 37-49 m wide, the ditch being uninterrupted in all areas examined, features within the interior at the eastern end included an incomplete ring of substantial post-pits which it is suggested originally formed a complete circle. Peterborough pottery, predominately Mortlake style, Grooved Ware, a small amount of Beaker pottery, earlier Bronze Age urn sherds, and flint artefacts of the late 3rd-early 2nd millennium were recovered from the cursus ditch and other features. Collectively the evidence indicates a prolonged period of use. The results of the excavations are described, the site is discussed in its local and regional context and the implications of the excavation for our understanding of cursus monuments are considered.