Open area excavation carried out as per the Brief and WSI. An archaeological excavation was carried out within the Phase 1 development area on land to the west of Panfield Lane, Braintree, Essex in advance of the construction of a large residential development. The excavation was focussed on an area of the development site previously identified during an archaeological evaluation as containing a cluster of early Roman features consisting of four ditches and three pits. Excavation revealed ditches dating from the Late Iron Age/early Roman period through to the mid/late 2nd century, possibly continuing into the early 3rd century. Laid out on a north-east/south-west by north-west/south-east alignment, the ditches probably formed an enclosure with a trackway/droveway on the southern edge of the site. There were at least five large quarry pits with other smaller pits scattered across the site, some of which were possibly tree-throws. There were no structural remains, and fragments of brick/tile and fired clay/daub were rare, but finds evidence would suggest the presence of a farmstead within the enclosure. The pottery assemblage was fairly sizeable, dominated by locally-produced domestic bowls, beakers and jars, but including some imports. Animal bone had not survived well, but included the main domestic species of cattle, sheep/goat, horse, pig and dog, with some oyster shell recovered too. A complete lower quernstone and fragments of at least two other querns show that grain was being ground into flour. Other finds included two coins, an early Roman brooch and a snake-headed bracelet.