NHER 61924 (Monument record) - Large prehistoric ring-ditch/enclosure and multi-period features and finds

August-November 2012. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site to north-west of John Innes Institute. The trial trenching took place in two phases, with an initial group of trenches excavated in August 2012 (Trenches 1-5) and the remaining 11 trenches excavated two months later (Trenches 6-16).
This work revealed a number of archaeologically significant features although unfortunately dating evidence was generally scarce.
There was no clear evidence for the probably Bronze Age barrow that had reportedly been disturbed at or near this site during the excavation of a gravel pit in 1799 (NHER 9335). It was suggested that a possible ditch segment at TG 1796 0774 may have been part of a ring-ditch associated with this barrow but this was not particularly convincing (and subsequent work would demonstrate that this was probably a discrete feature).
Several probable ditches were identified, of which only one was associated with any dating evidence - a north-north-east to south-south-west aligned feature that produced two sherds of Roman pottery. Although none of the other ditches produced any finds the variety of alignments suggests that they were probably associated with more than one phase of activity.
It is thought that the majority of the discrete features investigated were probably natural in origin. One exception was a post-medieval or modern pit in the south-west corner of the site that contained the remains of a cow.
Two trenches in the central part of the site revealed what were interpreted as substantial infilled quarry workings. These hollows potentially cover an area measuring 60m by 25m and may therefore extend across the postulated barrow site (NHER 9335). There was no evidence to suggest that other parts of the site had been disturbed to this extent, although a number of smaller probable quarry pits were noted in the north-eastern part of the area examined.
The finds recovered during this work include a small assemblage of worked flints, none of which are particularly diagnostic. At least some are though probably the result of earlier prehistoric activity, including a retouched flake of possible Early Neolithic date.
See reports (S1) and (S2) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S3).
The associated archive has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2016.177).
P. Watkins (HES), 2 November 2016. Amended 21 June 2019.

February-March 2013. Strip Map and Sample Excavation.
Excavation of area in northern half of site, south-west of Hill House.
This phase of work revealed a number of additional archaeological features, the most significant of which was a substantial curvi-linear ditch that was partially exposed at the northern edge of the site. This feature was between 2.45m and 3m wide, at least 1.3m deep and had a broad ‘v’-shaped profile and a flat base. The deposit sequences revealed in the excavated slots suggested that it had probably been associated with an external bank. Stoney upper fills could represent either further ploughed in bank or mound material or material dumped during later quarrying in the vicinity. The exposed ditch was presumably part of a much larger monument or enclosure, the overall form of which is inevitably uncertain. Had it been circular it would have had a diameter of at least 40m. Prehistoric finds recovered from this feature included 64 worked flints of probable Early Neolithic date, although the majority of these were recovered from redeposited bank material rather than primary deposits. A single, large, relatively unabraded sherd from a Middle to Late Bronze Age urn was also recovered from the surface of the ditch. Although an Early Neolithic date has been tentatively suggested for this ditch a later, Bronze Age date must also be a possibility.
No other features of likely prehistoric date were identified. Residual and unstratified prehistoric finds included further worked flints of probable Early Neolithic date and a small number of abraded Iron Age pottery sherds.
There was clear evidence for Roman period activity on the site, with finds of this date recovered from a number of features. The uppermost fills of the prehistoric ditch produced several Roman pottery sherds and additional sherds and a Roman tile were also recovered during the initial cleaning of this feature. Features of possible Roman date included two ditches that terminated (or were lost to truncation) within the excavated area, both of which produced small amounts of Roman pottery and no later finds. Residual Roman finds in later and natural features included pottery sherds and a possible imbrex tile fragment.
It is likely that the majority of the other archaeologically significant features identified were associated with much more recent activity on the site. These later features included two parallel, north-north-east to south-south-west aligned post-medieval ditches. A ditch excavated during the earlier evaluation to the south may be a continuation of one of these ditches and a similarly-aligned feature in a trench to the west may be a third feature of a similar date. There was also extensive evidence for post-medieval quarrying on the site, with twenty pits thought to be the result of sand or gravel extraction. These features produced a range of post-medieval finds and a small amount of presumably residual Roman and medieval pottery. An irregular linear feature interpreted as the remains of hedgeline also produced post-medieval material.
The remaining features were thought to be of natural origin, including several solution features and 18 probable three throw hollows.
See assessment report (S4) for further details. Final report awaited.
The archive associated with this work has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2017.170).
P. Watkins (HES), 2 November 2016. Amended 19 May 2019.

October-November 2013. Watching Brief.
Undertaken during groundworks associated with construction of new link road through southern half of site.
Although natural sands and gravels had been exposed along the whole length of the stripped area no archaeologically-significant features were observed.
No finds were recovered.
See report (S5) for further details.
The archive associated with this work has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2017.209).
P. Watkins (HES), 21 March 2021.