NHER 62623 (Monument record) - Medieval to post-medieval features and multi-period finds

December 2006-January 2007. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of strip in eastern half of field, on proposed line of Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Area 1).
This survey revealed no clear evidence for archaeologically significance sub-surface remains. Although several discrete positive anomalies were identified these were of uncertain origin.
A series of parallel positive linear anomalies were most likely of agricultural origin. There was no evidence for a feature corresponding with the single north-east to south-west aligned linear cropmark that crosses the middle of the field (NHER 52112).
See report (S1) for further details.
Previously recorded under NHER 50503
A. Cattermole (NLA), 18 September 2009. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 3 April 2018.

May 2014-January 2015. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey on updated proposed line of Norwich Northern Distributor Road through easternmost part of field (Area P2).
This survey identified a series of linear and rectilinear anomalies in the northernmost part of the field (designated Site 2). These anomalies all correspond with previously identified cropmark features (NHER 51971) and appear to form a large enclosure with an internal dividing ditch. The cropmark evidence suggests that a line of three short linear anomalies may represent part of another, presumably contemporary enclosure adjoining the western side of the more substantial main enclosure.
Numerous discrete anomalies identified in the vicinity of these probable enclosures may well represent archaeologically significant features such as pits or post-holes.
There was no evidence for sub-surface remains associated with a more extensive north-east to south-west aligned cropmark that crosses this part of the field, nor was there any trace of a shorter, perpendicular cropmark (both NHER 52112).
As during the earlier survey a series of parallel linear anomalies of probable agricultural origin were present across much of the area examined.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 3 April 2018.

April-May 2015. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of area in north-east corner of field, on proposed line of Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Field P1).
Six of the 12 trenches excavated were positioned to investigate the previously identified enclosure at the northern edge of the field. The form of this enclosure was found to be largely as had been suggested by the cropmark evidence (NHER 51971) and the preceding geophysical survey, with reasonably substantial ditches forming its exposed western and southern sides and at least two perpendicular ditches representing possible internal sub-divisions. Two separate ditches appeared to be associated with the southern side of the enclosure suggesting it had been remodelled on at least one occasion. A north-to-south aligned ditch to the west of the main enclosure was almost certainly the western side of the additional, linked enclosure - the presence of which was suggested by both the cropmark evidence and the second geophysical survey. A ditch representing the southern side of this enclosure was also identified. A number of the excavated ditches produced small amounts of medieval pottery, which, along with the lack of later material, suggests these feature were probably associated with medieval activity (which is consistent with the medieval to post-medieval date that had been suggested for the cropmarks). It is notable that the pottery assemblage appears to be of predominantly 13th- to 14th-century date, with little evidence for earlier or later activity.
A number of discrete feature were identified within and near the enclosure, several of which appear to correspond with geophysical anomalies identified during the 2014/2015 survey. These features included a number of probable pits, with medieval pottery sherds recovered from two of the more substantial, sub-rectangular examples. A particularly large feature at the northern edge of the site that also produced medieval pottery may have been a sand or gravel quarry. Other remains of note within the enclosure included an undated shallow feature with a burnt clay lining, a sample from which produced a small amount of burnt grain. A nearby rectangular patch of apparently redeposited clay was potentially associated with some form of structure.
Although the preceding geophysical surveys had failed to identified any evidence for an extensive north-east to south-west aligned cropmark to the south of the enclosure (NHER 52112), this work identified ditches that clearly corresponded with both this feature and a presumably contemporary perpendicular cropmark to the north. Although neither ditch could be convincingly dated (both producing only small numbers of prehistoric worked flints) it was suggested that they could well represent an earlier phase of activity.
The small assemblage of presumably mostly residual worked flints recovered during this evaluation appear to relate to more than one phase of prehistoric activity, with pieces of probable Mesolithic/Early Neolithic date present alongside later prehistoric debitage (including some crude flakes of possible Bronze Age or later date). Other potentially residual finds included a single sherd of Roman pottery.
See report (S3) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 3 April 2018.

May 2015. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of portion of field to west of proposed route of Norwich Northern Distributor Road.
This survey revealed no anomalies of obvious archaeological significance, and therefore no evidence for surviving remains associated with the various linear cropmarks previously mapped at this location (recorded as NHERs 52111, 52112 and 52113).
A north-to-south aligned linear anomaly at TG 2898 0945 corresponds with a former field boundary shown on the Postwick tithe map of 1838 (S4).
A discrete anomaly at TG 2892 0953 appears to coincide with a slightly blurred sub-circular cropmark tentatively interpreted as a possible ring-ditch (NHER 51972), although this change in the background texture is seen as most likely representing evidence for sand quarrying.
It is noted that the data is slightly noisier that would normally be expected and that the low apparent magnetic susceptibility (and hence magnetic contrast) may have hindered the recognition of sub-surface remains. The results were also affected by the presence of a north-west to south-west aligned modern service crossing the southern half of the site.
See report (S4) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 7 March 2021.

2016. Strip Map and Sample Excavation.
Excavation of site on route of Norwich Northern Distributor Road.
Final report awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 3 April 2018.

March 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of south-west corner of site (Trenches 1 and 2),
The two trenches excavated revealed no archaeologically-significant features or deposits.
A thin subsoil deposit was present in only one of the trenches.
See report (S6) for further details.
An archive associated with this work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2021.31).
P. Watkins (HES), 10 May 2021. Amended 27 July 2023.