NHER 5245 (Monument record) - Multi-period finds

1882. Stray Find.
Found in Whiteplot at [1] (Context 3: marked on 1st Ed. O.S. map):
Bronze Age ogivel copper alloy dagger. Length 266m. Edges grooved - four roughly paralllel fine ribs. Held by British Museum (called 'halberd blade' in catalogue). Information from (S1).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

1955. Stray Find.
Found by F. Curtis at [2] (Context 7):
Neolithic polished stone axe (Coll. No. 49). N. 159. Information from (S2). See copy of drawing in file (S11). Previously recorded as NHER 5229.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

Pre 1958. Stray Find.
Found by F. Curtis at [3] (Context 4):
Early Bronze Age small flat axe. Information from (S1). Previously recorded as NHER 5249.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

1950-1960. Stray Find.
F. Curtis' catalogue lists a number of finds that were found in this field (F120), but for which little additional information is given. The worked flints listed in (S3) are as follows:
2 Mesolithic microliths.
4 Early Neolithic leaf arrowheads.
10 ?Neolithic 'transverse arrowheads'.
2 'harpoon barbs' - most likely Neolithic petit tranchet derivative transverse arrowheads.
2 Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age barbed and tanged arrowheads.
3 'slug knives' - probably Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age plano-convex knives.
18 scrapers.
2 fabricators.
32 other implements.
Also bone/antler 'needles'.
P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

1962. Stray Find.
Found by [4] at [5] (Context 6):
Jet ring. Highly polished, irregular. Previously recorded as NHER 5246.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

1964. Stray Find.
Various worked flints recovered by [6].
Found at [7] (Context 2):
2 Early Neolithic leaf arrowheads.
1 Neolithic small axe/chisel.
1 Neolithic flaked axehead.
5 Neolithic arrowheads (1 hollow-based, 2 triangular, 2 petit tranchet derivative) arrowhead.
1 Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age barbed and tanged arrowhead.
1 tanged arrowhead.
Information from (S2), see outline sketches on reverse of (S2).

Found at [8] (Context 16):
1 Early Neolithic leaf arrowhead.
1 ?Late Bronze Age tanged arrowhead.
1 awl.
Information from (S2). Previously recorded as NHER 5232.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

Pre 1970. Stray Find.
Found by [9] at [10] (Context 17):
1 Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age barbed and tanged arrowhead.
Information from (S1). Previously recorded as NHER 5247.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

1970. Stray Find.
Various worked flints recovered by [9].
Found at approx. [11] (Context 5):
1 Neolithic polished axehead fragment. Broken cutting edge, partly rechipped.
1 Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age barbed and tanged arrowhead.
1 ?unfinished Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age barbed and tanged arrowhead.
14+ scrapers (end scrapers and 'button' scrapers').
3 hammerstones.
1 ?axe roughout.
Information from (S2). Previously recorded as NHER 5230.

Found at [12] (Context 6):
1 Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age barbed and tanged arrowhead.
Information from (S2). Previously recorded as NHER 5246.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

1970. Stray Find.
Found by [13] at Context 6:
1 Roman pot base. Marked on NCM record map.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

19 February 1985. Fenland Project fieldwalking.
Several sites identified:

Site MTW BH (Context 1).
Context 1: General scatter. Odd flints. Also 2 Roman pottery sherds.
Context 2: Sherd of Bronze Age pottery.

Site MTW BF (Context 7).
On steep slope. Small number of 'pot boilers' and bits of bone.

Site MTW BE ([14]; Context 8).
Small number of worked flints and one prehistoric rim sherd.

Site MTW BG ([15]; Context 9).
On ridge. Scatter of highly patinated flints and few bone fragments.

Site MTW 49 ([16]; Context 10).
On south side of ridge. Sparse to moderate 'pot boilers' with two sherds of possible Early Bronze Age Food Vessel and rare worked flints and bone fragments. Max dimensions 26m N/S x 28m E/W. Flints include a multi-platform core, a side-scraper and a serrated blade.

Site MTW 50 ([17]; Context 11).
On ridge with hollow to south. Moderate concentration of 'pot boilers' with occasional worked flints and bone fragments. Max dimensions 37m NE/SW x 18m NW/SE. Worked flints include an end scraper.

Site MTW 51 ([18]; Context 12).
On slope of ridge curving around peat hollow. Sparse to moderate concentration of worked flints with rare bone fragments, single sherd of prehistoric pottery and rare 'pot boilers'. Max dimensions 26m N/S x 24m E/W. At least some of the flints potentially Early Neolithic, including a serrated blade.

Site MTW 52 ([19]; Context 13).
On low ridge above peat. Sparse to moderate concentration of worked flints with a few bone fragments and a sherd of indet. Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age pottery. Max dimensions 48m N/S x 25m E/W. Although some early pieces were present (such as a ?Early Neolithic leaf arrowhead fragment), a significant proportion of the worked flints were potentially Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age.

Site MTW 53 ([20]; Context 14).
On steep-sided and curving ridge. Moderate to abundant 'pot boilers' with a few worked flints and bone fragments around edge. Max dimensions 36m E/W x 20m N/S. Worked flints not closely datable.

Site MTW 54 ([21]; Context 15).
Narrow strip of material on a flat plateau. Sparse to moderate concentration of 'pot boilers' with very sparse flints. Max dimensions 24m N/S x 14m E/W. Worked flint not closely datable.

For further details see project archive (S4) and final publication (S5).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

Pre 1992. Stray Find.
Found by [22]:
1 Neolithic polished flint axehead fragment (Coll. No. 292). Cutting tip.
Identified by P. Robins (NCM), 12 May 1992. See illustration (S12).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

September to October 1992. Metal-detecting.
Various finds by [23].
From NE part of field (Context 1):
3 undated prehistoric worked flint including 1 horseshoe scraper, 1 end and side scraper and 1 end scraper fragment.
1 ?Neolithic small flaked axehead fragment. Badly heat damaged.

From SW part of field (Context 1):
1 Mesolithic single platform blade core.
1 Neolithic polished axehead flake.
1 undated bronze ring.

From central north part of field (Context 1):
1 undated prehistoric end scraper.
9 Neolithic (perhaps Late Neolithic) scrapers.

Found in area of Context 2:
3 undatable prehistoric worked flints included 1 ?broken projectile point (or possibly the tip of a knife or dagger), 1 scraper and 1 end scraper.
13 Neolithic worked flints including 2 flake knives, 10 scrapers and 1 narrow flake.
1 Roman dolphin type brooch.
2 Roman pottery sherds (1 samian, 1 colour-coated).

Found in area of Context 3:
1 prehistoric pottery rim sherd.
1 undated unidentified copper alloy object clad in iron.

From area of Context 14:
2 undatable prehistoric pottery sherds.
5 Neolithic (probably Late) worked flints including 1 olique arrowhead, 1 scraper, 1 flake knife, 1 piercer and 1 end scraper.
1 Early Bronze Age copper alloy flat axehead. Decorated and ?deliberately damaged. Needham's subclass AE of c. 1700 BC. See outline sketch (S6). Radiocarbon dated of an associated wood fragment (conifer) returned a determination of 3995 +/- 75 BP. See report in file (S7).
1 ?Bronze Age copper alloy decorated ?handle. See illustration (S8).

From area of Context 16:
11 undated prehistoric flints including 5 flake knives and 6 scrapers.

From area of Context 17:
3 undated prehistoric flint scrapers.
2 ?Iron Age pottery sherds.
Found at [24] (Context 18):
1 Roman coin. See list in file.

Information from file notes. All flints identified by P. Robins.
Most finds donated to Norwich castle museum (majority NWHCM : 1999.1.34.5; ? Bronze Age handle NWHCM : 1993.198.3.1; EBA flat axehead NWHCM : 1993.198.3.2; Roman brooch NWHCM : 2000.200.4.2).
P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

1993. Fieldwalking.
Various worked flints found during fieldwalking by [23]:
2 prehistoric end scrapers with heavy patina.
1 Mesolithic or Early Neolithic flint blade.
1 Neolithic chisel-form arrowhead.
1 Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age barbed and tanged arrowhead.
Identified by P. Robins (NCM). Information from file notes.
P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

1993. Metal-detecting.
Various objects recovered by [5]:
Undatable prehistoric worked flints including 2 scrapers
2 Neolithic polished axe fragments.
12 Neolithic (probably Early) worked flints including, 1 chisel arrowhead, 2 serrated blades, 1 serrated flake, 6 scraper, 1 blade and 1 hammerstone.
1 Bronze Age flint thumbnail scraper.
1 Middle Bronze Age copper alloy rapier hilt-blade fragment. See illustration (S9). Held by NCM (NWHCM : 2001.225.2).
1 Roman harlow brooch (c. 4-75/80 AD). Held by NCM (NWHCM : 2000.200.4.3).
1 ?post-medieval copper alloy ring.
1 undatable schist ?hone.
2 fragments of animal bone including 1 cut and polished bone and 1 fragment of a horse or ox leg bone.
Most flints identified by P. Robins (NCM). Information from file notes. Most finds donated to Norwich castle museum (NWHCM : 1999.1.34.5 unless specified otherwise).
P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

1994. Metal-detecting.
Found by [23] at approx. [25]:
1 Early Neolithic leaf arrowhead.
Identified by P. Robins (NCM).
P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

1995 Metal detecting.
Further work by [23]:
3 prehistoric pottery sherds including 1 rim sherd.
1 ?prehistoric stone ?spindle whorl.
1 ?prehistoric split 'hammerstone' found at [26].
3 ?Romano-British copper alloy sheet fragments - from vessel?
1 medieval buckle. Orginally identified as Late Roman. Now held by NCM (NWHCM : 2000.200.4.4). See illustration (S10).
1 large boar's tusk.
Finds donated to Norwich castle museum (NWHCM : 1999.1.34.5 unless specified otherwise).
P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

April 1996. Metal-detecting.
Further work by [23]:
1 Bronze Age copper alloy 'tanged implement' found at [27]. "BA reworking" according to Stuart Needham (BM). See copy of polaroid in file.
W. Milligan (NCM), 2 July 1997. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

January-March 1997. Metal-detecting.
Further work by [23]:
1 undatable prehistoric flint scraper. Found at [28]:
13 undatable prehistoric pottery sherds. Including 1 found at [29]; 2 found at [30]; 1 rim sherd found at [31]; 3 found at [32]; 5 undatable found at [33] and 1 sherd decorated with an incised line and a ?random pattern of stab marks (found at [34]).
1 Late Mesolithic backed microlith found at [35]. See sketch in file.
1 Mesolithic/Early Neolithic flint double-edged serrated flake found at [36].
8 ?Early Neolithic worked flints, including 4 scrapers and 1 long narrow crescentic flake knife found at [37]. Also 2 leaf arrowheads, 1 serrated flake and 1 scraper found at Context 5.
2 Early Neolithic flint chisel arrowheads. Found at [38].
2 Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age flint knives - 1 plano convex, 1 ?backed knife. Found at [39].
3 Beaker pottery sherds including 1 base sherd found at [40], 1 tiny sherd found at [41] and 1 rim sherd found at [42].
1 Bronze Age rapier. 3 joining fragments found at [43]. See copies of photograph in file. Also 1 further fragment found at [44].
1 Roman pottery sherd (samian). Found at [45].
1 undatable jet fragment. Found at Context 5.
2 undatable copper alloy objects including coil found at [46] and 'blob' found at [47].
4 undatable animal bones including 1 tooth found at [48], 1 cut bone found at Context 5 and 2 vertebrae fragment embedded in chalk block found at [49].

Flints identified by P. Robins (NCM) - see full descriptions in file. Most finds donated to Norwich castle museum (NWHCM : 1999.1.34.5, unless specified otherwise).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

24 November 1997. Metal-detecting.
Further work by [23]:
14 Neolithic worked flints including leaf arrowhead, ?sickle blade, 9 scrapers, scraper/knife, ?scraper and flake.
1 undatable prehistoric pottery sherd.
Flints identified by P. Robins (NCM) - see full descriptions in file. Finds donated to Norwich castle museum (NWHCM : 1999.1.34.5).
A. Rogerson (NLA), 26 April 2001. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

31 December 1997. Metal-detecting.
Found by [23] from south west edge of concentration noted in November.
6 undatable prehistoric worked flints including 4 scrapers, 1 end scraper and 1 discoidal core/hammerstone.
Flints identified by P. Robins (NCM) - see full descriptions in file. Finds donated to Norwich castle museum (NWHCM : 1999.1.34.5).
A. Cattermole (NLA), 16 October 2006. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

January 1998. Metal-detecting.
Found by [23] at south edge of scraper area:
3 undatable prehistoric flint scrapers.
2 Neolithic leaf arrowheads.
Flints identified by P. Robins (NCM) - see full descriptions in file. Finds donated to Norwich castle museum (NWHCM : 1999.1.34.5).
A. Cattermole (NLA), 16 October 2006. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

May 1998. Metal-detecting.
1 Neolithic miniature flaked flint axehead.
Identified by P. Robins (NCM), see description in file.
A. Cattermole (NLA), 16 October 2006. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 18 November 2013.

Early 2009. Stray Find.
Found by [23] on surface in south-west corner of field:
1 undatable human tibia.
See description in file
A. Rogerson, (NLA), 7 September 2009

12 May 1992.
Cutting tip only of a small, slim, Neolithic polished flint axe.
See drawing in secondary file.
E. Whitcombe (NLA), 12 February 2010.

(S4) - PAS details to follow.
A. Beckham (HES), 6 February 2013.