Page:VCH Essex 1.djvu/339

 ANCIENT EARTHWORKS CAMPS, ETC. LOUGHTON CAMP. Among those which retain sufficiently definite form to be classed as early defensive earthworks we place Loughton first, as, like Ambresbury, it has the advantage of having been scientifically examined by means of excavation. It is in the heart of the old Forest of Waltham, now known as Epping Forest, and is situated about a mile and a half from Loughton railway station. The position of the camp is remarkable ; and, considered from a military point of view, it is perhaps the most advantageous in the whole Forest district. It occupies the southern headland of an elevated plateau, many parts of which are densely wooded. From the southern side of the camp an extensive view may be had looking towards the south-east, bounded by the Kentish hills beyond the Thames. . . At the northern angle of the camp, the elevation is about 310 feet above the Ordnance datum. The ground gradually trends away towards the southern rampart, and then suddenly dips down to Debden Slade, a low marshy valley distant about i,OOO feet to the south, and the level of which is only 160 feet above datum, show- ing a fell of about 120 feet from the southern aspect of the camp, or 150 feet from the higher plateau ground at the northern end. From the western side the ground descends even more abruptly to form a smaller valley, the levels showing a fall of about 70 feet. * tni'i ^>M*4ta ^L <(Wf I 1 * I J ^ iiiW^fe' ' la&^iSS^ J^"" " .^^ 1 I
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4 ^ The investigations of the Euex Field Club proved that * fowe between 6 and 7 t'eet deep existed at A, but hai been entirely lilted up. The Cone on the north tide, now 4 feet below the counterscarp, wai originally nearly 5 feet deeper. The tectiont show the present condition. Our plan ii bated upon one iiiued in the Tram, of ibt Euex FiclJ Glut. 1 Eisex field Club Tram. iii. zia. 277