NHER 35983 (Find Spot record) - Multi-period prehistoric worked flints and Middle Bronze Age rapier fragments

29 May 1996. Fieldwalking.
Various worked flints found on chalk hummock rising above peat (TL 6888 9282; Context 4). Found on westerly part:
1 Mesolithic microlith. Possibly part of a broken scalene triangle.
10 flakes, bladelets and fragments. All small and consistent with a Mesolithic microlithic industry.
1 possible end scraper made on the extreme tip of a flake.
From eastern part of hummock:
2 bladelet, possibly also of Mesolithic date.
3 small flakes/flake fragments.
11 flakes, including two long narrow examples.
1 core platform rejuvenation flake.
2 shatter pieces.
9 prehistoric pottery sherds including a body sherd with impressed decoration and a body sherd decorated with rows of punctures applied obliquely to the surface.
Identified by P. Robins (NCM). See list in file for full description and sketches of microlith and end scraper. These finds are now held by the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 1999.1.19.33)
W. Milligan (NCM), 3 July 1997. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 7 November 2013.

15, 20 & 24 May 1997. Fieldwalking and trial excavation. Context 1 (TL 6906 9266).
A quantity of Prehistoric flint implements including 5 saws, an end scraper, a retouched blade, flakes and retouched flakes were recovered on the chalk ridge, in peat. Several decorated rim sherds and body sherds were also found, including an example of Early Neolithic Mildenhall ware.
See list in file.
W. Milligan (NCM), 29 May 1997.

23 May 1997. Fieldwalking and trial excavation. Context 2 (TL 6910 9272).
Four sherds of flint gritted pottery were found on the chalk ridge in peat.
See list in file.
W. Milligan (NCM), 29 May 1997.

May 1997. Fieldwalking. Context 3 (TL 6894 9277).
Three sherds of flint gritted pottery and forty one worked flints including a scraper, baldes, flakes and spall were found on the chalk ridge in peat.
See details in file by P. A. Robins (NCM).
W. Milligan (NCM), 29 May 1997.

18 February & 29 April 2005. Metal detecting.
An Early Neolithic scraper, an Iron Age or prehistoric pottery sherd and two fragments of a Middle Bronze Age rapier were recovered (S3 and S4). Traces of organic material remain on one face of the rapier fragments.
See list and in file and (S1-S4) for additional information.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 17 June 2005.

27 October 2005. Metal detecting.
A third fragment of a Middle Bronze Age rapier (S5) was recovered from the same place. As with the other fragments, traces of organic material remain on one face.
See description and drawing in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 28 November 2005.

December 2006. Artefact Analysis.
Examination of the three rapier fragments found in 2005 with magnifying glass and microscope determined that the remains on one side of all three fragments are very likely the remains of a scabbard. Further examination with a Scanning Electron Microscope is recommended.
See (S1) for further details.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 18 December 2006.

19 November 2007. Artefact Analysis.
All three rapier fragments were examined with a reflected light stereo microscope and a small sample was removed from one fragment and examined using a Scanning Elevtron Microscopy. Identification of wood species was not possible due to contamination from copper corrosion products, but it is likely a hardwood, either a fruitwood, birch, poplar, or willow. No evidence was observed of a leather or textile layer between the wood and the blade surface.
See (S2) for further details.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 20 November 2007.

27 November 2007. Metal detecting.
An additional blade fragment was recovered, likely further remains of a Middle Bronze Age rapier (S6).
See description in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 5 February 2008.