excavations by essex county council field archaeological unit at the recent maltings lane development discovered evidence of neolithic occupation at witham, including human remains and several trackways across ancient marsh. excavations of the witham lodge (ivy chimneys) area of the town in the 1970s unveiled remains of a roman temple as well as a pottery kiln. this would have been alongside the main roman road from colchester to london and used as a stopover point on the long journey. another notable find during the excavation was a votive offering pool in the grounds of the temple, containing several artefacts that would have been offered to the gods.