NHER 31588 (Find Spot record) - Bronze Age hoard and multi-period finds

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Summary

A combination of metal detecting and excavation between 1995 and 2005 recovered a Late Bronze Age hoard of copper alloy objects, including socketed axeheads, ingots and sword fragments. Also noted were two concentrations of prehistoric burnt flints. Medieval and post medieval metal objects were also found at this location.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TM09NW
Civil Parish GREAT ELLINGHAM, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

October 1995. Near west edge of field in area of about 11m north to south and 5m east to west.
Late Bronze Age hoard consisting of (scattered in ploughsoil):
Six socketed axes.
Two joining sword blade fragments.
One sword hilt fragment.
One casting jet.
Site visited by A.Rogerson (NLA) 26 October 1995 and find spots plotted. (Work will continue).
A.Rogerson (NLA), 31 October 1995.

List of measurements of findspots and 1:1250 plan in file.
A.Rogerson (NLA), 13 November 1995.

14 December 1996. Excavation by A.Rogerson (NLA), D.Wicks (NAU) and [1] and [2] failed to find any in situ hoard. Two more socketed axes and two bronze cakes numbers 11 to 14.
See plan and description in file.
To be drawn by NCM, (S1 and S2). This work is noted in (S3).
A.Rogerson (NLA), 9 January 1997.

1996. Metal detecting.
Bronze Age axe and axe fragment.
Two small Bronze Age ingots.
V.Fryer (NCM) 3 June 1997.

February/March 2005. Metal detecting. Extended to whole field containing NHER 9107.
Half real of Ferdinand and Isabella.
See list in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 14 April 2005.

4 September 2005. Metal-detecting.
Four additions to Late Bronze Age hoard discovered October 1995 (numbers 15 to 18).
1 Bronze Age sword hilt terminal (no.15, see (S4)), 1 sword blade tip (no.16), 1 socketed axe (no.17, see (S5)) and 1 socketed gauge (no.18, see (S6)).
1 medieval lead ?weight.
1 ?medieval unidentified object fragment.
Identified by A. Rogerson (NLA). See lists in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 14 October 2005.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 12 March 2014.

October-November 2005. Metal-detecting.
Two pot boiler concentrations centred at grid references given in file. See also aerial photograph with finder's annotations in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 17 December 2005.

July 2006. Metal-detecting.
1 medieval lead seal matrix (inscription: "seal of Hugh son of Richard").
Identified by S. Ashley (NLA). See description in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 26 August 2006.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 3 March 2014.

August-September 2006. Metal-detecting.
1 Late Saxon copper alloy finger ring.
Identified by S. Ashley (NLA). See description in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 13 October 2006.
Updated by J. Page (HES), 12 March 2014.

  • --- Photograph: I & RS. Digital finds image.
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • --- Unpublished Document: Department for Culture, Media and Sport and British Museum. 2008. Treasure Annual Report 2005/6. p 52; No 73.
  • <S1> Illustration: Holness, A.. 1997. Drawing of a Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axehead. Paper. 1:1.
  • <S2> Illustration: Holness, A.. 1997. Drawing of a Late Bronze Age copper alloy socketed axehead.. Paper. 1:1.
  • <S3> Article in Serial: Gurney, D. and Penn, K. (eds). 1997. Excavations and Surveys in Norfolk 1996. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XLII Pt IV pp 547-564. p 552.
  • <S4> Illustration: Gibbons, J. 2005. Drawing of a Late Bronze Age sword hilt joining fragment and blade fragment.. Film. 1:1.
  • <S5> Illustration: Gibbons, J.. 2005. Drawing of a Late Bronze Age socketed axe.. Film. 1:1.
  • <S6> Illustration: Gibbons, J.. 2005. Drawing of a Late Bronze Age socketed gauge.. Film. 1:1.
  • HOARD (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 701 BC)
  • INGOT (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 701 BC)
  • METAL WORKING DEBRIS (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 701 BC)
  • SOCKETED AXEHEAD (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 701 BC)
  • SWORD (Late Bronze Age - 1000 BC to 701 BC)
  • FINGER RING (Late Saxon - 851 AD to 1065 AD)
  • SEAL MATRIX (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
  • COIN (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • GAUGE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Feb 24 2026 1:33PM

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