NHER 60793 (Monument record) - Post-medieval buildings and ditches and multi-period finds

April 2003. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of likely archaeological impact of proposed development.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 August 2015.

September-October 2003. Evaluation.
Evaluation of proposed redevelopment area to east of High Street (Trenches 4-18).
There was no evidence for occupation or use of the eastern side of the High Street prior to construction of a range of buildings in the late 17th- or early 18th-century. The building investigated incorporated a partially filled cellar.
The trench excavated on the southern side of Norwich Street revealed some evidence for the division of land prior to the construction of a flint and mortar building, the date of construction of which is somewhat unclear (probably pre-dating either 1581 or 1679). Activity in the area behind the street frontage commenced in the medieval period, when a large quarry was opened and backfilled.
In Banyard Place 16th- or 17th century ditches were identified, with the area apparently in use as back gardens and orchards between this time and the 20th century.
Two trenches excavated on Commercial Road revealed little in the way of archaeologically significant apart from an undated field boundary ditch. It appears this area was not developed until the 19th century.
The five trenches excavated within the central part of the proposed development revealed only minor field boundaries, suggesting that this area had not been occupied or used until the 19th century, when an iron works was established (NHER 55349).
Overall there was only limited evidence for medieval activity, the finds of this date restricted to a coin, a single brick and a small number of pottery sherds.
See reports (S2) and (S3) for further details. The results of this work are summarised in (S4). See also newspaper articles (S5) and (S6).
The associated archive has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2017.488).
Previously recorded under NHER 39688.
A. Cattermole (NLA), 6 July 2004. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 8 June 2015 and 27 May 2019.