NHER 26521 (Monument record) - Late Saxon to post medieval occupation, east of Hansard Lane, south of Fishergate

November-December 1999. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation within the derelict St Edmunds Works factory building.
Pits with Late Saxon and medieval pottery.
Evidence of timber-framed and masonry houses.
A north-to-south property boundary, appearing intially as a wall-footing, may represent the eastern limit of the churchyard, possibly established following its eastward extension. Mortared flint and brick structures (a north to south drain and walls) of late medieval date appeared to respect this boundary, suggesting that they were associated with the church.
Very important finds of post medieval cloth seals.
See report (S1) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S2).
Compiled by E. Rose (NLA), 9 February 2000. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 26 March 2015.

September 2000. Watching brief.
Monitoring of excavation of two geotechnical test pits.
In both test pits there was recent post medieval build up for the uppermost 1.1m and 1.15m respectively. Under this there was a sterile undated layer. This seems to seal medieval stratigraphy in both trials, which consists of possible intercutting pits and make-up layers. None of these features were dated. The pits excavated to a depth of 2.1m and 2.2m respectively, and neither reached a natural layer.
For report (S3) for further details.
The associated archive has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2010.127).
D. Gurney (NLA), 6 February 2002. Expanded by Ruth Fillery-Travis (NLA), 15th March 2007.

November 2000. Geophysical Survey.
Ground penetrating radar survey of two proposed development areas.
Area 3 on Fishergate contained a large number of columnar signals which may represent the presence of previous building structures. Radar plots indicate the positions of these signals, and the timeslices present the overall outlines at a series of depths.
See report (S4) for further details.
Ruth Fillery-Travis (NLA), 15th March 2007.

November 2000.
Mitigation strategy for the St Edmunds Works site proposed by Northamptonshire Archaeology. The aim of this strategy was to preserve in sit at least 97% of the surviving archaeologically significant deposits (deemed to be those dating to the early post-medieval period and before). Proposals also made for the preservation by record of any deposits lost as a result of the development.
See (S5) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES),

April 2001. Trial Trenching.
Two trenches excavated, both close to the Fishergate Street frontage.
Revealed a post medieval flint-built building, medieval rubbish pits. Also evidence of mortared flint post medieval wall and associated floor.
See report (S6) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S7).
The associated archive has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2010.127).
D. Gurney (NLA), 19 April 2001. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 26 March 2015 and 27 April 2019.

2001-2003. Watching Brief.
Undertaken during piling and other groundworks. Previous work had demonstrated that medieval deposits were preserved at depth and were therefore unlikely to be disturbed.
The work revealed post-medieval wells, a brick arch, chalk and gravel surfaces, and flint and brick walls.
Finds included Late Saxon, medieval and post-medieval pottery, post-medieval coins and a foundation plaque for the Norwich Yarn Company (dated 1834).
See report (S8) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S9).
The associated archive has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2010.127).
J. Allen (NLA), 12 March 2003. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 26 March 2015 and 27 April 2019.