NHER 53040 (Monument record) - Middle and Late Iron Age settlement and multi-period finds

May 2008. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of proposed aggregate extraction area (Phase A).
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 25 August 2015.

June-July 2008. Geophysical Survey.
Magenetometry survey of proposed aggregate extraction area (Area 1).
This survey revealed a number of linear magnetic anomalies interpreted as cut features forming part of a complex enclosure of likely archaeological origin. A number of discrete anomalies were interpreted as pits and observed negative anomalies could possibly represent earthworks or embankments.
See report (S2) for further details.
Previously also recorded under NHER 53158.
S. Howard (NLA), 23 November 2009. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 25 August 2015.

September 2008-March 2009. Systematic Fieldwalking and Metal-detecting Survey.
Field survey of proposed aggregate extraction area (Area A).
Finds recovered comprised:
6 pieces of worked flint.
14 fragments of burnt flint.
A single sherd of Roman pottery.
Fragments of Roman tegula.
Many post-medieval pottery sherds.
Fragments of post-medieval peg tile.
No significant metal objects were recovered.
See report (S3) for further details.
A. Cattermole (NLA), 16 September 2009.

November-December 2010. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed aggregate extraction area (Area 1; Trenches 1-18).
The excavation revealed evidence for Iron Age settlement on the hill-top. Occupation of the east-facing slope was probably established in the Middle Iron Age. The settlement appears to have been unenclosed and survives as a network of dispersed shallow gullies and ditches interspersed with pits and isolated postholes. Three pits with vertical sides and flat bases have been interpreted as storage pits and were found to contain charred cereal grains and pottery including a near complete jar. Although the storage pits are likely to have been close to areas of habitation no evidence relating to structures was revealed. A later settlement was established in the Late Iron Age and was situated further to the west on the top of the hill on the western flank. The settlement comprises three successive enclosures with an associated droveway leading over the hill from east to west. Pottery recovered from the ditches covers a short period during the 1st century AD. Within the enclosures were a number of smaller ditches and gullies are probably the remains of internal partitions and several shallow pits. As with the Middle Iron Age settlement there was little evidence for structures but this is probably due to the impact of ploughing.
Two large quarry pits, one possibly dating to the early Roman period, were also revealed. Residual finds of worked flint broadly dated to the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age were recovered from Iron Age and undated deposits.
See report (S4) for further details.
Previously recorded under NHER 53158.
S. Howard (HES), 6 February 2012.

November 2012. Norfolk NMP.
Aerial photographs of the area described above were examined as part of the National Mapping Programme. However, it was not possible to distinguish any features on aerial photographs within this area. Some fragmentary linear cropmarks have been recorded to the west of this area, and recorded separately under NHER 57459 as they may or may not related to the Iron Age site.
E. Ford (NMP), 06 November 2012.