NHER 37644 (Monument record) - Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age settlement and medieval field system, Little Plumstead Hospital

January-March 2003. Trial Trenching.
104 trenches. Contexts 1 to 636 used.
Excavations revealed features dating from the prehistoric to the post-medieval period.
Prehistoric activity appears to have been concentrated within a narrow corridor along the lower slopes of the valley, flanking the north side of the water course, with the densest concentrations of features of this date located in the southern part of the site, immediately to the north of the lake. Post-holes and stake-holes representing structures were recorded, as was a settlement palaeosol. No clear pattern is evident among the post holes and stake holes, although a tentative rectangular structure was discernable. The density of these features probably suggests many phases of building followed by repair and rebuilding within a confined area. Stake holes and gullies which probably mark the line of fences were also recorded. These may have served as livestock enclosures. Together this evidence indicates prehistoric settlement activity at this site, tentatively dated to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age.
There was surprisingly little evidence of medieval settlement on this site, given its proximity to the parish church. However, the numerous ditches recorded across the northern part of the site indicate at least two phases of medieval field systems. Pottery sherds indicate that these features date from the 11th to 14th centuries. Large pits in this area also suggest that aggregate extraction was taking place here during the medieval period.
A post-medieval ditch was recorded immediately east of the Victorian churchyard wall. This runs parallel to the wall and may represent an earlier churchyard boundary.
See report (S1) and (S2) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S3).
A. Cattermole (NLA), 2 July 2007.

June-September 2004. Watching Brief.
Maintained during redevelopment of former hospital site. Topsoil stripping and trenching for sewer and water pipes monitored. From context 700.
No features of archaeological interest were observed.
Unstratified finds recovered included post-medieval pottery.
See report (S4) for further details.
A. Cattermole (NLA), 7 March 2007.

A combined archive comprising material from both phases of archaeological work at this site has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2017.102).
P. Watkins (HES), 18 May 2019.

March 2008. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of additional proposed development areas.
See report (S5) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 26 May 2015.