NHER 61168 (Monument record) - Post-medieval ditches and probable quarry pit

May-June 2009. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development area (Field 1).
The survey revealed several linear anomalies, which are probably ditches, of unknown date. These features may be related to linear anomalies that were identified in the field to the north-west (Field 13; NHER 55993).
See report (S1) for further details.
Previously recorded under NHER 55994.
P. Watkins (HES), 8 September 2015.

July 2012. Desk-based Assessment.
Heritage assessment of proposed development site.
This study emphasises the extensive evidence for prehistoric activity in the area, with the potential for remains of this date adjudged to be high.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 25 January 2021.

August 2012. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of remainder of site (Field 2).
This survey identified one additional potentially archaeologically-significant linear anomaly but little else of interest.
Other, more sinuous, linear anomalies are thought to represent natural channels or geological patterning. The numerous discrete anomalies recorded are also believed to be of natural, geological origin.
See report (S3) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 25 January 2021.

November 2012. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site (Trenches 1-16).
The sixteen trenches excavated in this field revealed two linear features and a large pit.
The linear features corresponded with north-west to south-east and north-north-west to south-south-east aligned geophysical anomalies and both produced small numbers of post-medieval finds, including pottery and brick and tile fragments.
The large pit lay at the southern edge of the site and had also been identified by the 2009 geophysical survey. This was interpreted as a probable quarry pit and was also found to contain a small quantity of post-medieval material.
As in the field to the south (NHER 55994) no subsoil deposits were observed.
No unstratified finds were recovered.
See report (S4) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 21 March 2021.

August-September 2013. Strip, Map and Sample Excavation.
Excavation of site of new medical research building at eastern end of site.
The only features visible within the stripped area were plough scars.
Finds were limited to four prehistoric flints recovered from the topsoil.
It had been intended that the route of an associated access road would be stripped under similarly controlled conditions but unfortunately this work took place (and the area disturbed) before any archaeologists were in attendance.
See report (S5) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 21 March 2021.

May-June 2015. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with installation of Norwich Research Park South Development Gravity Foul Sewer (Field A).
No archaeological remains were recorded during the stripping of topsoil and subsoil deposits from a section of pipeline easement and an adjacent works compound at the northern edge of the site. It should though be noted that these deposits were only removed down to the level required by the project - it is possible that archaeological features were obscured by areas of surviving subsoil.
Unstratified finds recovered included a small number of undatable prehistoric and Mesolithic/Early Neolithic worked flints and a single sherd of undiagnostic medieval/post-medieval pottery.
Information from report uploaded to OASIS. HER copy awaited.
The archive associated with this work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCH : 2017.600).
P. Watkins (HES), 21 March 2021.