NHER 34086 (Monument record) - Multi-period finds and features

1958.
Slag deposits identified, close to excavated Roman iron-working site (NHER 3382).
Previously recorded under NHER 3382.

October 1998. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometry survey of proposed aggregate extraction area.
Scanning revealed a low level of background magnetic variation. A number of anomalies of potential interest were identified and targeted by detailed gradiometery. Detailed survey revealed one area of distinct archaeological potential that may relate to features associated with iron-smelting and/or processing. A number of linear trends and pit type anomalies have also been identified that may be of archaeological interest, although given the weak nature of these responses any archaeological interpretation is tentative.
See report (S1) for further details.
E. Rose (NLA) 18 January 1999 and M. Dennis (NLA), 20 September 2007.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 15 September 2015.

December 1998. Systematic Fieldwalking and Metal-detecting Survey
Field survey of proposed aggregate extraction area.
Artefacts collected consisted mostly of clay tobacco pipe and pottery sherds of 19th- and 20th-century date. A single sherd of Roman pottery was recovered, along with 5 pieces of iron slag. Metal detector finds included a copper alloy harness mount and a copper alloy nail. No marked concentrations of finds were noted.
See report (S2) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S3).
Previously partially recorded under NHER 3382.
Finds in NCM and KLM.
E. Rose (NLA) 18 January 1999 and M. Dennis (NLA), 20 September 2007.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 15 September 2015.

January 1999. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed aggregate extraction area.
The evaluation trenches revealed three archaeological features, all of them ditches. Two were post medieval and the third was undateable.
See report (S2) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S3).
Previously partially recorded under NHER 3382.
Finds in NCM and KLM.
An archive associated with this work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2025.134).
E. Rose (NLA) 18 January 1999 and M. Dennis (NLA), 20 September 2007.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 15 September 2015 and 24 August 2025.

April 2003. Systematic Fieldwalking and Metal-detecting Survey.
Second field survey of proposed aggregate extraction area.
Artefact densities were generally low, although one scatter of medieval pottery (64 sherds) was identified at the extreme western end of this site. This may indicate the position of a small, isolated settlement. Little medieval material was recovered in the eastern part of the site. A notable number of slag fragments were also found (many of which were smelting slag), the majority recovered in the central southern part of the site. The smelting slag was not itself closely datable, although a Roman date is likely for much of this assemblage, given the proximity to a known iron-working site of this date (NHER 3382). Although one of the smithing slag fragments was though to be medieval in date.

This other finds recovered included:
1 undatable prehistoric retouched flint nodule.
1 Mesolithic/Early Neolithic heavily patinated blade core.
2 ?Neolithic worked flints, including 1 retouched flake and 1 core fragment.
1 Neolithic/Bronze Age burnt scraper.
2 ?Bronze Age worked flints, including 1 utilised flake and 1 retouched flake.
3 Roman pottery sherds (1 Samian, 2 greyware).
1 medieval lead biconical spindle whorl.
1 ?post-medieval ?gunflint.
6 post-medieval metal objects, including 1 purse frame, 1 ?belt strap end, 1 iron spike, 1 stamped disc, 1 thimble and 1 iron file.
See report (S4) in file for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S5).
Previously recorded under NHER 38183.
J. Allen (NLA), 17 October 2003. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 15 September 2015.

February 2007. Strip Map and Sample Excavation.
Evidence for domestic and industrial activity dating from the late Bronze Age to the late Iron Age and Roman periods was recovered during archaeological monitoring. A series of late Bronze Age pits contained Bronze Age post-Deverel-Rimbury plain wares probably from a nearby settlement. Evidence of iron smelting was also recovered and two, possibly three, structures interpreted as furnace bases were revealed and the occurrence of slag in nearby pits. The radiocarbon date from organic material inclusions within the slag gave a date of between 4th and 3rd century BC.
See assessment report (S6) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S7). Final report awaited.
Previously recorded under NHER 38183.
S. Howard (NLA), 3 December 2009. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 15 September 2015.