NHER 40130 (Monument record) - Undated ditches and pits and multi-period finds

This site records a multi-phased programme of archaeological investigation undertaken prior to the construction of a new link road between the A11 Cringleford bypass and Colney Lane. For other sites related to this work, see NHER 40131 – NHER 40137, and NHER 40205.

This site also records a programme of archaeological investigation in advance of development to the west and south of the link road. For other sites related to this work, see NHER 36138, 40132, NHER 40133, NHER 40135, NHER 40140, and NHER 60815.

The results of a systematic fieldwalking and metal-detecting survey undertaken in 2004 are now recorded under NHER 35177 (which also details earlier metal-detecting finds from this field).
P. Watkins (HES), 23 March 2021.

February-April 2004. Geophysical Survey. Field 2, Areas N-O
A magnetic susceptibility survey was carried out over the entire field and a gradiometer survey was undertaken within two discrete areas.
One area of enhanced magnetic susceptibility was identified in the north of the field, but the gradiometer survey of this area did not identify any potential archaeological features.
One possible ditch or field boundary was identified in the south-east of the field. This feature was oriented northeast-southwest, roughly parallel to the east field boundary, but no boundary appears on the First Edition Ordnance Survey map (S1) or the Tithe Map (S2) for this area. The only other anomalies identified were attributed to modern cultivation and an existing farm track on the western edge of the field.
See report (S3) for further details.
J. Allen (NLA), 29 June 2007. Expanded H. Hamilton (HES), 19 May 2015.

October-November 2004. Watching Brief. Context 100.
Topsoil stripping for creation of a new link road and associated junctions was monitored.
No archaeological features were observed during this work.
Unstratified finds recovered from the topsoil included:
1 prehistoric flint flake.
1 sherd medieval pottery.
3 sherds post-medieval pottery, 1 fragment roof tile, 1 fragment pan tile, 1 fragment clay tobacco pipe.
1 late post-medieval button.
Undated copper alloy sheet fragment and lead waste fragments (not recorded).
See report (S4) for further details.
J. Allen (NLA), 29 March 2005. Expanded H. Hamilton (HES), 8 June 2015.

March 2006. Trial Trenching. Contexts 100-111.
Five trial trenches were excavated in advance of residential development.
A ditch and a pit were recorded towards the north-eastern edge of the site, a second ditch was recorded in the southernmost trench, and another pit was recorded towards the western edge of the investigated area. All of these features remain undated.
The eastern ditch was oriented southwest to northeast and had a narrow gully cut into its base. It contained a single deposit which yielded three fragments of animal bone identified as the remains of butchered cattle and pig. Both pits contained charcoal in their fill but did not contain any archaeological finds.
See report (S5) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S6).
J. Allen (NLA), 28 June 2006. Expanded H. Hamilton (HES), 8 June 2015.

March 2013. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of large proposed development area.
See report (S7) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 19 November 2018.

March 2013. Geophysical Survey. Sector 4.
A detailed magnetometer survey was carried out over three areas, encompassing approximately 44 hectares of land in total, in advance of development. Each area was comprised of several fields. Sector 4 of this survey included a small strip of land to the south of Round House Way.
No magnetic anomalies of archaeological origin were identified within this portion of Sector 4. The majority of the magnetic responses within this area are indicative of superficial ferrous deposits within the topsoil.
See reports (S8) and (S9) for further information.
H. Hamilton (HES), 30 March 2015.