NHER 55760 (Monument record) - Probable Bronze Age round barrows, undated enclosure and post-medieval field boundaries

March 2010. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of part of large proposed development area (Field 15).
This survey identified two probable ring-ditches - one represented by an annular anomaly with a diameter of 25m at TM 0488 9367 (Context 1) and the second by a smaller, semi-circular anomaly at TM 0483 9367 (Context 2). These occupy the crest of a slope overlooking lower ground to the south and probably represent the ditches associated with ploughed out Bronze Age barrow monuments. It should be noted that a survey of the adjacent field (Field 12; NHER 55758) recorded no evidence for surviving remains associated with two ring-ditches that had been recorded as being visible on aerial photographs (NHER 29829, approximately 250m to the west). It is therefore possible that it was actually the ring-ditches at this location that had been observed but their location was inaccurately recorded.
Other responses of note included a discontinuous set of linear anomalies that appear to form part of a sub-rectangular ditched enclosure with a width of approximately 100m.
The other linear anomalies identified included several that correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Attleborough tithe map of 1838 (S1).
Although the southernmost part of the surveyed area coincided with earthworks of a bank and ditch visible on aerial photographs (recorded as NHER 57492 and potentially associated with Bunn's Bank (NHER 9206)) no associated anomalies were identified. A similarly-aligned linear anomaly identified in this part of the site was probably associated with a former field boundary depicted on the tithe map (which is one of two parallel boundaries that appears to be demarcated the narrow strip of land containing the earthworks.
Two large discrete areas of magnetic disturbance at the southern edge of the area examined potentially represent infilled ponds or quarry pits.
A particularly pronounced north-east to south-west aligned linear anomaly was caused by a modern gas pipeline. A cropmark associated with this pipeline was subsequently mistaken for an archaeological-significant feature - see NHER 57494.
See report (S2) for further details. The results of this survey are also summarised in (S3).
The rectilinear enclosure was previously recorded separately, as NHER 55764.
S. Howard (HES), 28 June 2011. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 28 February 2022.

December 2012. Norfolk NMP.
It was not possible to positively identify these features from the available aerial photographs, consulted as part of the Norfolk National Mapping Programme.
E. Ford (NMP), 6 December 2012.

August-September 2015. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of part of large proposed development area (Trenches D and E).
The southernmost of the two trenches excavated at this location revealed four roughly east-to-west aligned ditches, one to the south of a modern track and three to the north. Up to three of these features are likely to correspond with former field boundaries depicted on one or both of the Attleborough tithe map of 1838 (S1) and the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six Inch map (S4), including one that produced an assemblage of fairly modern looking iron objects.
It should be noted that these various boundaries lies to either side of the possible line of a linear earthwork known as Bunn's Bank, being situated between the main recorded section of this feature to the east (NHER 9206)) and its possible continuation to the west (NHER 57492). Although it therefore potentially once passed through this location the trenches placed across its probable line revealed no evidence for surviving remains. It appears that the natural sandy clay lay immediately beneath the topsoil.
No unstratified finds were recovered.
Information from report uploaded to OASIS. HER copy awaited.
Previously recorded as NHER 65439.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 March 2022.

February-March 2022. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development area at eastern end of site (Field 6).
Two extensive linear anomalies – one aligned east-to-west and north-to-south – correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Attleborough tithe map (S1). A cluster of differently-aligned linear anomalies at the eastern edge of the field may though represent ditches associated with an earlier phase of activity. These include two parallel north-north-east to south-south-west aligned anomalies that appear to coincide with an undated hollow way visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs (NHER 33951). There was though no evidence for remains associated with the various other earthwork recorded at this location (although it has been suggested that these were potentially modern).
Two large amorphous dipolar anomalies represent infilled former ponds depicted on the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch map (S4). Other amorphous discrete anomalies were probably caused by variations in the underlying soils and geology.
See report (S5) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 28 October 2024.

November 2022-March 2023. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of narrow strip along route of proposed new access road (Field 1).
The only responses of possible archaeological interest are a number of linear anomalies that potentially represent infilled ditches. These include a fairly distinct east-north-east to west-south-west aligned anomaly running between TM 05035 93555 and c. TM 05186 93609.
Although it wasn't identified as a potentially archaeologically-significant response, a curvilinear anomalies at TM 0488 9366 clearly represents the southernmost part of the ring-ditch identified by the 2010 survey. The incomplete possible ring-ditch identified to the west also fell partly within the area examined and may also be associated with a corresponding anomaly, although this is much more indistinct.
Two roughly north-to-south aligned linear anomalies corresponds with a former field boundaries shown on the Attleborough tithe map (S1). A large dipolar anomaly at TM 0501 9359 corresponds with an infilled former pond depicted on the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch map (S4). A strong north-east to south-west aligned linear anomaly is the modern gas pipe identified by the 2010 survey.
See report (S6) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 October 2024.

March-July 2023. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development area at eastern end of site (Trenches 62-66, 81-91, 110-119 and 136-140) and route of associated access road (Trenches 28-33).
These trenches revealed a concentration of Roman remains at the eastern end of the site (close to where the 2022 geophysical survey had identified a cluster of linear anomalies), along with scattered remains associated with earlier and later phases of activity.
As in the surrounding fields worked flints provided evidence for at least limited activity in the area during multiple prehistoric periods, with pieces of likely Mesolithic/Early Neolithic, Neolithic, Neolithic/Bronze Age and Bronze Age/Iron Age date recovered. The quantities recovered from individual features were though small and most of this material was likely to be residual.
A multi-period prehistoric pottery assemblage was also recovered, with the earliest material being a small group of probable Early Neolithic sherds found in otherwise undated group of intercutting ditches in the eastern part of the site.
The most notable feature of potential prehistoric date was a substantial east-north-east to west-south-west aligned ditch encountered within two adjacent trenches in the central part of the site. This feature (which appeared to correspond with a linear geophysical anomaly identified by the 2022/2023 survey) was found to contain a single Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age pottery sherd, along with 72 Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age sherds. A pit at the margin of this feature was found to contain a significant quantity of burnt flint. Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pottery was also recovered from a nearby large, deep discrete feature with initially shallow sides that became near vertical towards its base. This is interpreted as a possible well, although its 'funnel'-shaped profile is similar to that seen in natural solution features. Machine excavation encountered no evidence for any form of lining or structure in the lower portion of the feature.
Small amounts of later Iron Age pottery was recovered from a number of features at the eastern end of the site, although the majority also produced Roman pottery. It appears that much of the Roman pottery dates to the beginning part of the period so it possible that the handmade pottery was in fact contemporary with the earliest Romanised material. It certainly appears that sustained activity at this location had commenced by at least the mid 1st century AD. A number of pits were of probable Roman date and Roman pottery was also recovered from a number of ditches in this area – although the quantities were much smaller. North-north-east to south-south-west aligned ditches recorded in several trenches in this part of this site were probably related to a hollow way visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs (NHER 33951). These ditches produced later Iron Age and Roman pottery, although this could well have been residual. It is potentially notable that one of only two features to produce medieval pottery was a ditch running perpendicular to the line of this hollow way. The other potentially medieval feature was a elongated pit or linear feature with near vertical sides that was found to have several thin timbers/stakes forming an 'H'-shape at its base. Although the fills of this feature provided little hint as to its function it had presumably been associated with some form of craft or industrial activity. One suggestion is that it had been a retting pit. A sample yielded fragments of metal-working debris (cinders) and a small amount of burnt bone (which was not necessarily human as stated in the remain - it proved to be too small for conclusive identification) but little in the way of plant macrofossils.
There was little evidence for significant subsequent activity on the site. Post-medieval remains were largely limited to a number of ditches that clearly corresponded with former field boundaries depicted on the Attleborough tithe map (S1). Features in the south-east part of the site were probably associated with an infilled pond that can be seen on (S4). Several ditches in a trench in the south-east corner of the site were overlain by deposits interpreted as post-medieval layers that had potentially associated with this pond. It should though be noted that this trench was on the line of Bunn's Bank, between the western end of the main surviving section of this earthwork (NHER 9206) and its potential continuation to the west (NHER 57492). Finds from these layers were limited to a post-medieval button and an undated iron loop.
There was no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with a number of other earthwork features mapped in the south-east corner of the site (also recorded under NHER 33951).
See report (S7) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 October 2024.