NHER 50496 (Monument record) - Medieval to post-medieval and undated remains

2004-2005. Desk-based Assessment.
Archaeological assessment of western route options for Norwich Northern Distributor Road.
See reports (S1) and (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 July 2019.

March 2007. Systematic Fieldwalking and Metal-detecting Survey.
Field survey on proposed line of Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Field 7).
No diagnostic finds were recovered.
See reports (S3) and (S4) for further details.
A. Cattermole (NLA), 16 September 2009.

April 2012-April 2013. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey on proposed line of Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Blocks 7 and 8).
The survey of the larger, northern area (Block 8) identified a weak north-west to south-east aligned linear anomaly at the eastern edge of the field. This probable ditch would appear to continue the line of a series of similarly-aligned cropmarks to the north-west that are thought to represent the remains of a trackway of possible Iron Age or Roman date (NHER 52380). The majority of the other anomalies identified in this area were of probable agricultural or geological origin. Scattered discrete dipolar anomalies are typical of the responses caused by modern ferrous debris.
The survey of the smaller, southern area (Block 7) revealed no evidence for sub-surface archaeological remains. Although a range of anomalies were detected these were thought to be of predominantly agricultural or geological origin.
See report (S5) for further details.
Block 7 survey previously recorded under NHER 31163 and as NHER 63370.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 August 2015. Amended 9 May 2019 and 2 April 2026.

May 2019. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of potential archaeological impact of large proposed development.
See report (S6) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 April 2026.

April and September 2022. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of part of large proposed development site (Areas 3 and 7).
This survey of the land to the south of the Norwich Northern Distributor Road (now the Broadland Northway) recorded a notable group of linear anomalies at the eastern edge of the site likely to represent ditches forming a small rectilinear enclosure adjacent to Breck Farm Lane. A number of discrete anomalies detected at this location all fall within the interior of this probable enclosure and therefore potentially represent associated pit-type features. A similarly-aligned probable ditch extending southwards from the south-west corner of the enclosure potentially represents either part of an adjoining second enclosure or an associated field boundary. These anomalies are likely to represent remains of medieval to post-medieval date, particularly given the nature of nearby discoveries. It is though unclear whether they were associated with an area of former settlement or activities of a more agricultural nature.
There is little evidence for significant remains across the remainder of the field. Although a number of other linear anomalies were recorded, the majority are thought to represent ditches associated with field boundaries of relatively recent date, including two that correspond with boundaries shown on the Taverham tithe map (S7). Other, more fragmentary linear anomalies in the eastern half of the site are all regarded as being of undetermined origin. A fairly extensive north-north-east to south-south-west aligned anomaly does though correspond with a linear cropmark visible on aerial photographs of this site (part of a group of scattered potentially Iron Age to Roman features recorded as NHER 52379). There was no evidence of the undated brick foundations noted at this location in 1964 (NHER 7910), although it should be noted that the survey also failed to identify additional building foundations uncovered by subsequent trial trenching nearby (see below).
Although various discrete anomalies and areas of magnetic disturbance were recorded, these are mostly thought to be either natural in origin or associated with recent activity on the site. Scatter dipolar 'spikes' were probably caused by ferrous material on or close to the surface, most likely modern debris.
See report (S8) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 April 2026.

July-September 2025. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of part of large proposed development site (Trenches 27-31 and 61-66).
The 11 trenches excavated at this location were all placed in the southern and central parts of the site, meaning that the main group of archaeologically-significant anomalies identified by the preceding geophysical survey has yet to be investigated. They also largely avoided the area in which brick foundations had been noted in 1964 (NHER 7910).
Remains of interest included a rectangular structure of likely post-medieval that was partially exposed at TG 1641 1544. This was aligned north-north-east to south-south-west, 8.5m wide and more than 9.25m in length. The wall foundations consisted of compacted chalk fragments and lime mortar and lay within steep-sided, flat-based construction trenches. A post-hole potentially associated with a door post truncated the western wall, which also appeared to be associated with a robber trench. A fragment of post-medieval tile was recovered from this probable robber trench, which could have been associated with either a modification of the structure or its eventual demolition. A similarly-aligned ditch immediately to the north was probably broadly contemporary as it was found to contain fragments of post-medieval ceramic building material and a piece of clay tobacco pipe. This building must surely be related to the foundations uncovered by ploughing close to this location in 1964 (see NHER 7910), although these were of brick and flint and clearly associated with a much larger structure. Presumably the chalk footings recorded during the recent work represented some form of ancillary building.
Other features recorded included a large pond-like hollow in the south-east corner of the site which produced a small assemblage of medieval finds and a notable lack of later material. Post-holes probably associated with a modern fence line and an cattle burial of likely recent date were also uncovered in this part of the site. An undated north-north-east to south-south-west aligned ditch was also recorded immediately to the west of Breck Farm.
One trench coincided with a previously recorded linear cropmark (part of a group of potentially Iron Age to Roman features recorded as NHER 52379) but no corresponding remains were identified.
See report (S9) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 April 2026.