NHER 30650 (Monument record) - Romano-celtic temple site, cremation burials, and buildings

1994. Watching Brief.
Undertaken along the Norfolk portion of the A143 Scole-Suston Bypass.
This work revealed a small Romano-Celtic masonry temple. Two ditches containing cremated animal bone, ceramic cremation urns and votive objects were probably associated with the temple, as was a clay floor or yard surface. A number of earlier, 2nd- and 3rd-century field boundaries were also identified - these were aligned with a known east-west Roman road. Two post-pits may have formed part of a 2nd- or 3rd-century building. A kiln or furnace was the only evidence for industrial activity.
See plan in file and report (S1) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S3).
E. Rose (NLA), 6 June 1994. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 8 April 2015.

1994. Metal detector finds in area of 'Temple' on east-to-west bypass due south of sewage works. [1]
Iron Age coin, thirty-two Roman coins. Identified by J. Davies (NCM), 22 September 1994.
Five Roman brooches. Identified by D. Mackreth.
Eleven Roman metal objects including two votive axes.
Roman pottery: four Samian including one decorated, two oxidised sherds (one a bowl rim) and nine grey wares (four rims = three jars, one deep 'nosey' bowl), two base and three body. Identified by D.Gurney (NLA), 1994.
Compiled by W. Milligan (NCM), 22 September 1994.

1995. Metal detector spoil. [2]
Twenty-seven Roman coins.
Roman brooches and other metalwork, including phallic mount* and lead figurine of Priapus*.
Also medieval heraldic pendant.
See form and list in secondary file.
*See slide NLA.
D.Gurney (NLA), 1 April 1996.

1995. Metal detecting. [1]
'Temple Site'.
Thirteen Roman coins.
Medieval coin.
Roman helmet plume (S4).
Roman terret (S5), brooch, ?votive leaf (S6), ?crossbow brooch knob.
Early Saxon pendant.
Late Saxon strap-end.
Early post medieval buckle frame.
Iron Age or Early Saxon and Roman sherd.
See lists, photocopied polaroids (S2) with minimal descriptions in secondary file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 30 June 2002.

The Norwich Castle Museum now holds a range of material relating to the work undertaken at this site between 1994 and 1995. This includes the archive associated with the excavation of the temple in 1994 (NWHCM : 2000.78) and various finds recovered during the 1994 watching brief and subsequent metal-detecting (NWHCM : 2007.331). The Roman helmet plume and ?votive leaf found in 1995 were also donated to the Norwich Castle Museum and individually accessioned (NWHCM : 2000.78.1.1-2).
P. Watkins (HES), 23 July 2019.

January 1997. Metal detecting. [3]
Roman coins, medieval cut 1/4d and jetton
See lists in file. Identified by J. A. Davies.
Roman brooch - around AD 40 to 60/65. Identified by D. Macreth June 1997.
Late Saxon stirrup mount
Medieval bar-mount
late medieval or early post medieval double looped buckle.
See list and polaroids (S2) in secondary file. Identified by H. Geake (NCM), 14 February 1997.
Compiled by W. Milligan (NCM), 20 February 1997.

28 March 1994. NLA air photography.
NAU excavation of Roman building on route of Scole Bypass can be seen.
H. Clare (NLA), 2 February 2001.