NHER 6112 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Bronze Age round barrow and cremation, known as 'Soldier's Hill' and 'Boadicea's Grave'

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Summary

A large Bronze Age round barrow on Garboldisham Heath, known locally as 'Soldier's Hill' and 'Boadicea's Grave', although there is no evidence that Boadicea (Boudica) was buried here (see also NHER 10785). In 1963 excavations recovered a complete Bronze Age urn containing cremated bone. The barrow and the surrounding area may have been disturbed during gravel quarrying and by military activity during World War One. Prehistoric flint flakes, a prehistoric flint scraper and two post medieval carved roof tiles have also been recovered from the site.

Protected Status/Designation

Location

Map sheet TL98SE
Civil Parish GARBOLDISHAM, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

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Round barrow on Garboldisham Heath. Close to Devils Dyke where 'soldiers used to lie when they fought in the wars'.

Large barrow, 'Soldier's Hill' (probably this one though perhaps NHER 6113 or 6114).
Also known as Boadicea's Grave, according to [1]. See also NHER 10785.
Very steep sides mound in a small detached clump of trees which just surround (and conceal) it. Young fir trees (about one hundred Scots Firs) are planted all over it (earlier H. D. Hewitt had noted nine old Scots firs on mound). It is surrounded by a series of gravel pits but there seem to be indications of a deep ditch round it, independent of recent destruction. No hollow on top. Made of local sand and gravel.
A few flakes on mound.
It is a very puzzling mound; if a tumulus, probably not prehistoric.
Circular, height 3.6m (12ft) from ground, 5.4m (18ft) from pit at foot (recent?). Diameter 60 paces, say 54m (180ft), very steep slope (earlier H.D. Hewitt had said 110m (120yds) circumunference, about 7.3m (8yds) high).
Gravel pits may actually be relics of military activity during the World War One, as for some time there was a small camp near here and possibly a rifle range.
H. D. Hewitt.

Roman? - a barrow? Roman barrow?
R. R. Clarke (NCM).

There was a World War One camp here.
E. Rose (NAU).

1975.
Mound covered in firs, 4m high, 32m diameter, ditch (with cars dumped in it) 8m wide, variable up to 10m wide on north, 1.5m deep. Surrounding pits reclaimed as arable.
A. J. Lawson (NAU), 1975.

About 1963. Excavation by [1] after rabbit disturbance.
At depth of 0.4m, biconical urn found with remains of a cremation of single adult.
Flint flakes and scraper found somewhere in area.
Urn possibly packed in flint.
See publication in (S1).
See (S2).
E. Rose (NAU), 7 July 1986.

Before 19 October 2005. Surface find.
Two fragments of roof tile, each with carved human bust.
See description in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 16 November 2005 and 14 March 2006.

2005.
No change from 2003; some scattered tree cover; grass; track up side made either by deer or people.
E. Rose (NLA), 17 November 2005.

  • --- Article in Serial: Clarke, W. G. 1913. Norfolk Barrows. The Antiquary. Vol XLIX pp 416-423. p 419.
  • --- Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
  • --- Designation: [unknown]. Ancient Monuments Form. SAM Record. DNF509.
  • --- Designation: [Various]. Scheduling and/or Listing Correspondence. Correspondence. DNF509.
  • --- Designation: Corbishley, M.. 1983. AM107.
  • --- Monograph: Lawson, A. J., Martin, E., Priddy, D. and Taylor, A. 1981. The Barrows of East Anglia. East Anglian Archaeology. No 12. p 11.
  • --- Photograph: 1936. The High (15 feet) tumulus at Garboldisham.
  • --- Photograph: I & RS. Digital finds image.
  • --- Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Bronze Age. Garboldisham.
  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • --- Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TL 98 SE 9 [3].
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • --- Unpublished Report: Ministry of Works. Scheduling Report [generic record].
  • <S1> Article in Monograph: Lawson, A. J. and Tomalin, D. J. 1986. Notes on Three Norfolk Barrow Excavations at Bridgham, Cockley Cley and Old Hunstanton with a Note on a Barrow Excavation at Garboldisham. Barrow Excavations in Norfolk, 1950-82. East Anglian Archaeology. Lawson, A. J. et al.. No 29 pp 104-113. pp 111-113.
  • <S2> Illustration: Gordon, F.. 1963. Drawing of a Bronze Age urn.. Card. 1:2.
  • FLAKE (Prehistoric - 1000000 BC to 42 AD)
  • HUMAN REMAINS (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
  • POT (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
  • SCRAPER (TOOL) (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
  • CARVING (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • ROOF TILE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Record last edited

Jun 7 2023 7:59AM

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