NHER 56292 (Monument record) - Post-medieval field boundaries and possible extraction pit

May 2011. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of proposed development site.
A walkover survey of this area was conducted as part of a desk-based assessment. No new features were identified during the survey or during associated documentary research.
See report (S1) for further details.
S. Howard (HES), 6 December 2011. Updated H. Hamilton (HES), 23 October 2014.

September-October 2011. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometry survey of proposed development area (Field A).
This survey recorded several features of possible archaeological origin.
A string of closely spaced magnetic spikes on a north-south alignment, perpendicular to the southern field boundary, correspond to a former field boundary depicted on the 1882 Ordnance Survey map (S3).
Three weak positive linear anomalies were identified, all running roughly north-south. Discussion in (S2) notes that none of these can be associated with former field boundaries depicted on the 1882 Ordnance Survey map (S3) and therefore they remained undated. However, comparison with other historic maps consulted in (S1) indicates that the easternmost feature is likely the remnants of a field boundary running parallel to Bridge road (curvilinear towards the northern end before a slight change ofcourse to the east) depicted on the 1810 enclosure map (S4) and the 1837 Stanfield Hall estate map (S5). Similarly, the central anomaly, running north from the southern edge of the study area, is likely the lower half of the western boundary of the same field (see S4 and S5). The final feature, located toward the north-west of the site, appears to be associated with a large depression visible on the ground surface. This depression is depicted on the 1837 Stanfield Hall estate map (S5), where it is bounded on the east by a thin strip of land, possibly providing access from Stanfield Road. The depression does not appear on the 1810 enclosure map (S4), but is located within the crook of a zig zag field boundary on the 1810 map. It also does not appear on later maps, but its edges are visible on the 1946 aerial photographs of this area (S6). No interpretation has been offered, but this hollow may be the remains of a small extraction pit. A magnetic anomaly was detected at the south-western edge of the depression, which could be a thermoremanent feature such as that caused by the presence of fired clay objects, a structure, or a hearth/bonfire site.
Evidence of the dismantled Wymondham to Forncett railway line (see NHER 13580 for further details) was also present in the form of a large strip of strong magnetic debris and associated areas of scattered magnetic debris.
See NHER 60533 for results from the field to the east of Overbridge Road (Field B).
See report (S2) for further information.
H. Hamilton (HES), 06 August 2013.