NHER 26674 (Monument record) - Breakwaters

February 2001. Norfolk NMP.
A number of linear features are depicted on a 1906 map (S1), along Overy Creek in the inter tidal zone. They are labelled 'Breakwaters', and are located at various intervals along about 1km of the creek. They vary in length from about 9m to 85m. Some of these features are visible on 1946 aerial photography (S2 and S3)), although these photographs are taken at high tide (or do not fully show the area covered by the breakwaters). 1974 aerial photography (S4), taken at low tide, also shows some of the breakwaters, but not all of them, which suggests that some have been permanently eroded. The breakwaters would presumably help to somewhat reduce the effect of the tide, and would have been a component of the sea/flood defences in this area, along with the sea banks (eg NHER 27031).
These breakwaters were certainly around in 1906, and they may possibly date back further, but it is very difficult to tell, so they are definitely modern and may possibly be post medieval in date.
A. Hunt (Suffolk CC NMP), 2 February 2001.

May-November 2004. Norfolk Rapid Coastal Zone Archaeological Survey.
Inter-tidal survey (Environmental Zone 8), Context 1021:
Five groynes built of building rubble and concrete dumps, with occasional wooden revetting. Located on eastern edge of Overy Creek between TF 84703 44626 and TF 84920 44871.
See assessment report (S5) for further details.
The associated archive has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2017.421).
J. Allen (NLA), 18 April 2005. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 21 July 2019.