NHER 4557 (Monument record) - Cowell Stone

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Summary

Cowell Stone is a large stone used as a boundary marker. The stone is locally reputed to date from the Bronze Age.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TF70NE
Civil Parish NARBOROUGH, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK
Civil Parish SWAFFHAM, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK
Civil Parish BEACHAMWELL, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Map

Large erratic used as boundary mark.

22 August 1979. Visited by E. Rose (NAU)
Set at junction of three parishes and near crossing of east to west Roman road with Icknield Way. Apparently recently dug out of bank of latter it lies in a small crater. Differential weathering suggests it used to be set upright.
E. Rose (NAU)

26 November 1981.
Stone has been set in a base of flints and cement (without being set up the right way) and has a cast iron notice by it
stating that it is a 'waymark' set up in the Bronze Age and now used as a 'boundry' (sic). The name Cowell is noted as a local surname in medieval charters, but may also derive from 'doule', a boundary mark.
E. Rose (NAU)

Notice since altered.
E. Rose (NAU)

Before 1924
W. G. Clarke found 'a fine button scraper' beside the stone. See (S1).
E. Rose (NAU) 25 June 1982.

See [1] and Photographs (S2).
A. Beckham (HES), 26 August 2020.

  • --- Newspaper Article: Thetford and Watton Times. 1981. Bronze Age sign re-emerges…. 20 November.
  • --- Photograph: Atkinson, J. 2020. Photographs of the Cowell Stone, Beachamwell. Digital. jpeg.
  • --- Photograph: BZM 24.
  • --- Photograph: BZM 24.
  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • <S1> Publication: Clarke, W.G.. The Icknield Way.
  • LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Apr 30 2025 9:52AM

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