NHER 27322 (Monument record) - Exposed peat beds and structures on Sea Palling beach

September 2005. Norfolk NMP.
An area of peat and clay deposits was exposed by scouring on the beach in 1981 and is visible on aerial photographs (S1) and is centred on TG 4248 2800. The strip measures approximately 650m long and varies in width from 7m to 60m. The extent of this exposed layer has been recorded, although very little of definite archaeological origin was identified within it. However several possible linear features were tentatively recorded. Peat deposits exposed further around the coast to the west at Sea Palling and Lessingham indicated an early Neolithic basal date and then continuing to form into the Bronze Age (S2). Also 300m to the southeast of the deposit visible on aerial photographs a Middle Bronze Age rapier was found embedded in the peat layers exposed on the beach (NHER 34508). The construction of off-shore reefs at Sea Palling has since resulted in massive sand accretion on the beach covering much of these deposits.

Centred on TG 4227 2813 is a pair of possible linear features, both 7-8m long. A further linear feature was possibly visible centred on TG 4253 2796, this was a fragmentary linear measuring 14.5m. Further to the east at TG 4265 2786 is another 7.5m long linear. This feature is located next to a groyne and therefore it could be an earlier groyne or it could be a product of the scouring and wave action against the groyne structure. The structure of all of these is uncertain although it is possible that they were of wooden construction.

A few other possible linears were identified, but the deposits have been exposed and peeled back into bands creating some linear and angular edges and lines. One angular edge was identified centred on TG 4243 2803. This seemed more sharply defined and rectilinear than the others and it was therefore felt that this could relate to an archaeological deposit. It was mapped by NMP as ditch only because none of the conventions really fitted (hachures would have expressed the feature better as an edge or break of slope).
S. Massey (NMP), 27 September 2005.