NHER 16443 (Monument record) - Possible enclosure and associated remains of probable medieval/post-medieval date

11 August 1980. Field Observation.
South of Mill Road in sides of Ministry of Defence pipe trench (at c. TG 1550 0692):
Two 'U'-profile ditches, filled with mid grey brown clay loam, dug into C.B.C., no finds.
One 1.4m wide, 0.6m deep, 37m south of northern field boundary. The other 0.7m wide and 0.3m deep, 41m south of northern field boundary. Both apparently run roughly east to west.
Compiled by A. Gregory (NAU), 11 August 1980. Information from record card (S1).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 30 October 2022.

October-November 2020. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of Anglian Water Norwich to Wymondham water pipeline (Area 6).
This survey identified a relatively dense cluster of potentially archaeologically-significant linear and discrete anomalies to the northern end of the site.
The linear anomalies included a number of responses that appear to represent ditches forming the western and southern sides of some form of enclosure extending southwards from Mill Road. The eastern extent of this possible enclosure was unclear due to the presence of a broad band of magnetic disturbance in the north-east corner of the site, which was associated with a modern service. All but one of the potentially archaeologically-significant discrete anomalies lay with the bounds of the possible enclosure, making it likely that these represent associated pit-type features. The apparent association with the road makes it likely that this group of anomalies represent remains of medieval to post-medieval date.
The only responses of note in the southern half of the site were two linear anomalies recorded as being of undetermined origin.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 November 2022.

April-May 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of Anglian Water Norwich to Wymondham water pipeline (Trenches 6 and 7).
Two trenches were excavated at this location, both of which were positioned to investigate the cluster of potentially significant geophysical anomalies identified at the northern end of the site. These trenches revealed two ditches and a number of pits, the majority of which were of probable medieval to post-medieval date.
The only evidence for earlier activity on the site was a small pit found to contain a single prehistoric flint flake and two pottery sherds of probable Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age date. These finds were potentially all residual as this feature also produced an iron nail of probable post-medieval or modern date.
The two ditches both appear to have corresponded with geophysical anomalies thought to potentially represent elements of an enclosure extending to the south of Mill Road. That likely to have formed its southern side produced a number of late medieval/early post-medieval brick fragments. Brick and tile fragments of a similar date were also recovered from two pits and two layers recorded within what would have been the interior of the enclosure. Significantly one of the latter also produced a floor tile of late medieval date. The quantity and range of ceramic building material present suggests that some form of substantial building had been present in the vicinity, though whether it lay within the enclosure is impossible to say at present. Pottery was certainly notable by it virtual absence, with only a single sherd of (presumably residual) early medieval pottery recovered from these features and deposits. The only other finds present were small amounts of animal bone.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 November 2022.