NHER 62729 (Monument record) - Early Saxon settlement and other, prehistoric, post-medieval and undated remains

December 2007-January 2008. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of proposed development site.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 2 May 2018.

January 2013. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development area.
This survey, which saw the whole of this field examined, identified a number of potentially archaeologically significant anomalies. These included a group of linear north-to-south and east-to-west aligned positive anomalies in the north-western part of the field. Several of these anomalies correspond with cropmark features that have previously been mapped in this area (NHER 43457). Two nearby similarly-aligned anomalies represent features of more recent date, clearly corresponding with boundaries shown on the late 19th-century 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map. This no evidence for sub-surface remains associated with number of other, north-east to south-west and north-west to south-east aligned cropmarks that have also been mapped in this part of the field (NHER 43467 and NHER 43476). There was also no trace of any features associated with a series of faint north-to-south and east-to-west aligned soilmarks that have been identified in the easternmost part of the field (also recorded under NHER 43457)
A number of fairly small discrete positive anomalies were also identified, at least some of which may be associated with sub-surface features such as pits. A band of these possible features was identified in the easternmost part of the field and a more diffuse scatter in the central area.
An east-to-west aligned band of magnetic distance in the central part of the field corresponds with the site of a World War Two High Frequency Direction Finding Station (HF/DF) that is visible on aerial photographs of the area taken during the 1940s (NHER 42232). The main area of magnetic disturbance would appear to coincide with the square fenced off area that enclosed the main structure with the linear band of disturbance to the west corresponding with the track that connected the site to Clay Lane.
Various discrete magnetic ‘spikes’ probably indicate the presence of ferrous debris.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 2 May 2018.

August 2013. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of large proposed development area.
See report (S3) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 2 January 2019.

July 2014. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed route of A12-A143 Link Road (Trench 11B and 12).
No archaeologically significant features were recorded in the two trenches excavated in this field.
A large flint side scraper of probable Middle Palaeolithic date was recovered from a topsoil deposit. A handaxe of possible Middle Palaeolithic was also found during this work, although its exact provenance is not recorded (the decision to list it under this record is therefore somewhat arbitrary).
See report (S4) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 9 May 2018.

January-July 2015. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with construction of A12-A143 Link Road.
No archaeologically significant features or deposits were recorded during the monitoring of various works in this area.
See report (S5) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 14 May 2018.

An archive that probably comprises material from both phases of work associated with the A12-A143 Link Road (July 2014 and January-July 2015) has now been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2016.248).
P. Watkins (HES), 28 June 2021.

August-October 2016. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development area.
The single trench excavated in this field (Trench 10) revealed a single irregular feature of probable natural origin. No finds were recovered.
See report (S6) for further details.
See NHER 62727 for information on the other trenches excavated as part of this phase of evaluation work.
P. Watkins (HES), 10 May 2018.

March-May 2017. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with installation of Belton Stepshort Rising Main.
The initial stripping of the pipeline easement exposed a sandy subsoil beneath the topsoil but no evidence for archaeologically significant remains. The subsequent excavation of trial holes, a bore pit and the pipe trench itself also exposed no archaeological features.
No finds were recovered.
See report (S7) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 2 May 2018.

November 2017. Trial Trenching and Watching Brief.
Archaeological work undertaken along corridor of new access road and associated storm drain.
The first phase of monitoring took place following the initial stripping of the development easement. The test excavation of the surviving soils along the route of the storm drain was also monitored. Although this long trench was excavated down to natural deposits no archaeologically significant features or deposits were identified.
After this test excavation five trenches were excavated under more controlled conditions along the remaining sections of the scheme. An undated probable ditch terminus was the only feature identified.
No unstratified finds were recovered during either phase of work.
Information from draft report, final version awaited.
An archive associated with this work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2019.101).
P. Watkins (HES), 10 May 2018.

January 2019. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development area in north-westernmost of site (Wheatcroft Farm, Phase 3).
The majority of the 20 trenches excavated revealed potentially archaeologically-significant remains, although most of these features produced nothing in the way of dating evidence.
A number of the trenches were positioned to coincide with previously identified cropmarks but there was little correspondence between these and the excavated features. The small number of cropmarks that did appear to be associated with surviving sub-surface remains included a pair of parallel north-to-south aligned features at TG 5065 0312 (which had also been identified by the geophysical survey) and a perpendicular feature to the east (all recorded under NHER 43457).
The other ditches identified displayed a range of alignments and were therefore presumably associated with more than one phase of activity.
A notable number of probable pits were exposed and it is possible that at least some of the features tentatively interpreted as ditch terminals were also discrete features. All of the pits had similarly sterile fills, with a single fragment of post-medieval brick or tile the only find recovered.
It is recorded that the western and south-westernmost part of the area examined had been much disturbed by wheel ruts and subject to at least some degree of truncation. This recent disturbance may well account for the comparative absence of surviving archaeological remains in this part of the site.
See report (S8) for further details.
An archive associated with this work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2019.180).
P. Watkins (HES), 2 September 2019. Amended 27 April 2024.

March 2020. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development area at eastern end of site (Phase 4; Trenches 1-21 and 44).
The 22 trenches excavated at this location revealed a number of scattered ditches and discrete features, the majority of which produced no dating evidence. The exceptions included an apparently isolated shallow sub-circular, irregular pit from which two sherds of Early Neolithic pottery were recovered. By far the most notable remains were a probable Early Saxon sunken-feature building (grubenhaus) and a nearby pit of similar date. The possible structure appeared to be aligned east-to-west and had steep sides and a flat base. This feature contained a small number of Early Saxon pottery sherds and similar sherds were also recovered from the adjacent pit. Other finds from these features included a fragmentary possible fired clay loom weight, other fragments of fired clay, animal bones and a small assemblage of metal objects comprising an iron whittle-tang knife blade, a possible iron shield grip, an iron stud, an unidentified iron object and an incomplete copper alloy sheet mount. Samples taken from the fills of these features both produced only small assemblages of plant macrofossils, although that from the pit was found to contain a small amount of charred cereal grain (some identifiable as barley and free threshing bread wheat). Although both of these features coincided with anomalies recorded by the preceding geophysical none of the other discrete anomalies investigated were found to correspond with archaeologically-significant remains. An unstatified Early Saxon buckle was though found in one of the trenches excavated closer to the southern edge of the site and metal-detecting during the evaluation of the area immediately to the south (on the opposite side of Woodfarm Lane) recovered an Early Saxon wrist clasp and buckle plate and a number of other potentially Early Saxon objects including a possible disc brooch, domed mount and lead spindle whorl (see NHER 62730).
There was no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with a series of north-north-west to south-south-east and east-north-east to west-south-west aligned soilmarks visible on aerial photographs at this location and thought to represent the traces of post-medieval field boundaries (part of a much large group of cropmarks and soilmarks recorded as NHER 43457). It is though notable that many of the undated ditches recorded were similarly aligned, suggesting they may well have been post-medieval in date. One of the north-north-west to south-south-east aligned ditches at the eastern edge of the site produced a tile fragment of probable medieval/post-medieval date and fragments of ceramic building material were also present in the fill of a similarly-aligned feature to the south.
The undated pits recorded appear to have been mostly fairly unremarkable and it is suggested that several were potentially natural in origin. A number of the trenches also revealed discrete features that proved to be either undated probable tree hollows or geological in origin.
Other unstratified finds recovered during this work included a small assemblage of worked flints comprising an Early Neolithic blade, a Neolithic discoidal knife and single Neolithic/Bronze Age and ?Bronze Age/Iron Age flakes; a small number of medieval and post-medieval pottery sherds; medieval and post-medieval coins; post-medieval tokens and a number of other Late Saxon/medieval, post-medieval to modern and undatable metal objects. These metal finds include a Late Saxon/medieval buckle; post-medieval buttons, buckles, dress hook, coin weight, thimble, copper alloy knife handle, musket ball and lead weights and fragments of undatable lead and copper alloy waste.
See report (S9) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 9 February 2023.

December 2020-April 2021. Excavation.
This final phase of archaeological mitigation in the easternmost part of the site saw the excavation of a relatively large area where the preceding evaluation had identified at least one possible Early Saxon structure. This work confirmed the presence of a small Early Saxon settlement, with the remains of several buildings and a number of associated features recorded. Other features recorded included ditches and numerous possible pits and post-holes, the majority of which produced little or no dating evidence.
Evidence for earlier activity includes a small assemblage of prehistoric worked flints, with the datable pieces including a number of blades and retouched implements of Mesolithic to Early Neolithic date. It is suggested that several pits that produced the largest individual assemblages of worked flints were potentially prehistoric, although it should be noted that these groups of flints were still quite small and not necessary all of one period. Features that could be more confidently identified as prehistoric included a pair of adjacent pits that both contained small quantities of Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age Beaker pottery. The charcoal-rich upper fill of one of these features contained a significant quantity of fired clay, including several possible loomweight fragments. A sample from this deposit contained charcoal hazel nutshell fragment, which are commonly found in features of this date. The one other feature of definite prehistoric date was a pit containing pottery of probable Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age date. A sample from this pit was found to contain only a small amount of charred grain and charcoal.
A number of fragmentary north-to-south and east-to-west aligned ditches are also thought to have been associated with an early, potentially Late Prehistoric phase of activity. These include a group of 'L'-shaped features that suggest a junction between two perpendicular trackways. One of the possible trackway ditches survived as a series of intermittent segments to the east but the others were all lost to truncation close to the junction. Few finds were recovered from these ditches so their date remains uncertain. Their form and alignments are notably similar to a series of cropmarks recorded to the west (at TG 5065 0308) and although these are part of a group thought to be of predominantly post-medieval date (NHER 43457) they could well be earlier. Unfortunately although the earlier work to the west had encountered features associated with these cropmarks, these also produced little dating evidence (see above).
The Early Saxon remains were clustered in the eastern half of the excavated area and included four definite and two possible sunken-featured buildings (SFBs, also known as grubenhauser). A number of pits in the vicinity of these structures also produced Early Saxon pottery and it is likely that at least some of the undated pits and post-holes in this area were also associated with this phase of activity. Several of the buildings lay close to the southern edge of the excavation area so it is possible that the settlement had extended further in this direction, although a number of trenches excavated in this area revealed no significant remains.
The buildings included two large SFBs that both had a pair of substantial internal axial post-holes, along with a number of smaller internal post-holes around the margins of the pit that had possibly been associated with an internal structure or revetment. The two other SFBs were both shallower features, one with external axial post-holes and the other with an internal pair. Two large sub-rectangular features were also potentially the remains of similar buildings, although no associated post-holes were identified. Both of the larger SFBs were found to contain groups of unfired clay loomweights and one produced two ceramic spindle whorls. Other finds from the SFBs include a barrel-shaped glass bead, a possible Roman coin, Roman tile fragments, an undated ?coin, a possible strap end, unidentified copper alloy objects and a range of iron items. These iron finds include a spearhead, whittle-tang knife blades, a buckle, a brooch or buckle pin, a tool socket, rivets, a possible chatelaine link, nails, spikes and several unidentified objects. A reasonably large assemblage of animal bone was also recovered from the Early Saxon features, the majority of which are from cattle, with some sheep/goat, pig and horse remains also present. The range of elements suggests that animals were being slaughtered and disposed of on the site, rather than portions of carcasses being brought in from elsewhere. Samples taken from the fills of the SFBs produced only sparse assemblage of charred plant macrofossils comprising small amounts of cereal grain, occasional weed seeds, hazel nutshell fragments and charcoal. Other material indicative of domestic waste such as small animal bone fragments and fired clay pellets were also noted. Snail shells and small mammal/amphibian bone suggest at least one of the pits had remained open for a time after the structure fell out of use. One of the samples from an Early Saxon pit produced a small amount of debris from the final stages of cereal processing.
The pottery recovered suggests that this settlement was most likely occupied between the mid 6th and 7th centuries.
Few later remains were identified. No Middle Saxon or Late Saxon artefacts were recovered and although some medieval pottery was found these sherds were mostly unstratified; as were the small number of medieval coins and other metal objects recovered. A number of parallel north-north-west to south-south-east aligned ditches of probable post-medieval date were the only features that could be confidently identified as post-dating the Early Saxon settlement. These produced a range of post-medieval objects and a fragment of modern window glass. These was though again no evidence for surviving remains associated with the soilmarks visible on aerial photographs of this field (also part of the group recorded as NHER 43457)
Unstratified finds recovered during the removal of the subsoil lay include Early Saxon and medieval pottery sherds; Roman, medieval and post-medieval coins (including a 19th-century Chinese coin); medieval and post-medieval jettons; post-medieval tokens and various other, Roman to post-medieval metal objects. These metal finds include a Roman Colchester derivative brooch; medieval buckles, button, finger ring and rotary casket key; a ?medieval thimble, ?strap fitting and lead window came; post-medieval buckles, thimbles, a belt or strap mount, mount, crotal bells, repair clips, scissors, suspension ring, pewter spoon and lead shot; a ?post-medieval brooch or earring and copper alloy handle; modern military cap and uniform badges and undatable possible suspension rings, a copper alloy ?bead, mount, copper alloy ?weight, unidentified copper alloy objects, lead mount, lead weight or spindle whorl, lead weights, lead counter, lead disc, lead and iron nails, iron buckle, and lead and copper alloy waste.
See assessment report (S9) for further details. Final reports awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 11 February 2023.

November 2023. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site adjacent to Chaplin Road.
The 11 trenches excavated revealed only two modern ditches and a number of natural features.
There was no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with the single linear cropmark mapped at this location (part of a group of undated probable field boundaries recorded as NHER 45271).
Unstratified finds were limited to a Neolithic flint end scraper.
See report (S11) for further details.
An archive associated with this work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2023.242).
P. Watkins (HES), 24 January 2024. Amended 27 April 2024.