NHER 63584 (Monument record) - Roman and post-medieval features

2004-2005. Desk-based Assessment.
Archaeological assessment of eastern route options for Norwich Northern Distributor Road.
See reports (S1) and (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 12 July 2019.

March-June 2009. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey on proposed line of the Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Site S3). One of three adjacent areas investigated due to their proximity to the site of a possible Roman marching camp (NHER 16451).
This survey within the western field identified a large number of small discrete dipolar anomalies that were probably caused by fired or ferrous debris in the topsoil. A north-to-south aligned concentration of these dipolar anomalies appears to correspond with a former field boundary marked on the 1837 Spixworth tithe map (S3). Immediately to the north this boundary appears to coincide with a pair of parallel fragmentary cropmarks. This amount of magnetic disturbance associated with the line of this boundary is therefore potentially further evidence that this was originally some form of trackway.
A number of weak positive linear anomalies were also identified, including a slightly curvilinear east-to-west aligned anomaly that potentially corresponds with a cropmark recorded in the eastern half of the field and a former field boundary marked on the tithe map that appears to continue its line to the east. The remaining linear anomalies were all aligned north-to-south and were probably mostly the result of modern cultivation practices.
See report (S4) for further details.
Previously recorded under NHER 35669.
P. Watkins (HES), 3 August 2015. Amended 12 July 2019.

October 2009-February 2010. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed line of Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Site S3).
Ten trenches were excavated in the western field, the majority of which were positioned to test the previously identified geophysical anomalies.
A range of features were identified, including ditches, pits and a single possible post-hole. Finds were scarce, being limited to two prehistoric flints, a single prehistoric pottery sherd, two Roman pottery sherds and a post-medieval roof tile.
A number of ditches corresponded with previously identified linear cropmarks (NHER 53493), including north-east to south-west aligned features at the western and eastern edges of the field and an east-to-ditch that was one of the two to be identified by the geophysical survey of this area. The former north-to-south aligned field boundary represented by the line of geophysical anomalies was found to be associated with a single undated ditch - which would appear to count against the evidence suggesting this was once the route of a trackway (see above). A similarly-aligned possible cable trench was also identified nearby which potentially accounted for some of the magnetic disturbance recorded.
See report (S5) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S6).
Previously recorded under NHER 35669.
P. Watkins (HES), 30 July 2015. Amended 12 July 2019.

April 2012-April 2013. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey on proposed line of Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Block 29).
This survey within the eastern field revealed little clear evidence for sub-surface archaeological remains. Although a range of anomalies were detected these were thought to be of predominantly agricultural or geological origin. The discrete dipolar anomalies detected are typical of the responses caused by the presence of modern ferrous debris.
There was no evidence for a sub-surface feature associated with the single linear cropmark mapped in the area examined (NHER 53493).
See report (S7) for further details.
Previously recorded under NHER 50499.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 August 2015. Amended 12 July 2019.

April-September 2015. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed line of Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Field S4).
Twelve trenches excavated in the eastern field revealed a number of potentially significant features, the majority of which were located close to the western edge of the field.
The westernmost of these trenches revealed a number of potentially structural features of probable Roman date. These included a possible beam slot that appeared to be cut by a large post-hole that produced eight Roman pottery sherds. A trench to the south exposed a cluster of four post-holes, one of which produced a similar amount of Roman pottery. Another post-hole in this part of the site produced several sherds of Iron Age pottery.
A north-to-south aligned ditch close to the western edge of the site produced several fragments of post-medieval brick and was probably associated with a former field boundary marked on the tithe map (S3).
The only other feature identified was an undated north-west to south-east aligned ditch.
See report (S8) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 12 July 2019.

January-September 2016. Strip Map and Sample Excavation.
Excavation of two sites on route of Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Areas 6 and 7).
The larger of the excavated areas (Area 7) straddled the boundary dividing these two fields and also revealed several ditches and a range of discrete features.
Prehistoric finds were limited to three pottery sherds of possible Early Iron Age date and a small number of undiagnostic flint flakes, all of which were probably residual within later features. A total of 66 burnt flints were also recovered, although this material was also recovered from features thought to be of Roman or later date.
Probable Roman features included a diffuse group of pits, several of which had dark, charcoal-rich fills. Finds recovered from these pits included Roman pottery sherds, fragments of fired clay and animal bone and number of burnt flints. Samples taken from their fills produced barley, wheat and oat grains, although chaff was largely absent. Small amounts of Roman pottery were also recovered from a larger, more isolated pit and one of a loose group of four post-holes. The pit also contained a possible Roman tile fragment. A pair of parallel north-east to south-west aligned ditches that corresponded with previous-mapped cropmarks (NHER 53493) were also thought to be potentially Roman, although each only produced a single sherd of Roman pottery. It is though notable that all of the potentially Roman discrete features identified in these fields lay in a band adjacent to the eastern ditch.
An extensive east-to-west aligned ditch and an adjacent perpendicular ditch were previously identified features that clearly correspond with former field boundaries marked on the 1837 Spixworth tithe map (S3). Finds from this ditches included post-medieval pottery sherds and a post-medieval brick.
Unstratified finds were limited to a post-medieval clay tobacco pipe stem fragment and a post-medieval tile.

The excavation of a relatively narrow strip at the western edge of the western field (Area 6) revealed four ditches and several discrete features.
There was some evidence for prehistoric activity with a large natural hollow producing 13 sherds of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pottery, along with a flint flake and a single burnt flint.
The north-west to south-east aligned cropmark mapped at this location (NHER 53493) was found to be associated with two adjacent, parallel north-east to south-west aligned ditches, both of which terminated close to what appeared to be a contemporary perpendicular, north-west to south-east aligned ditch. It is possible these features represented a linear arrangement of fields or enclosures, the eastern sides of which were potentially formed by a pair of parallel north-east to south-west aligned ditches exposed during the earlier trial trenching. The gap in the excavated ditches therefore potentially represented some form of staggered entrance into one of these fields/enclosures. Although no finds were recovered a Roman date was suggested based on the apparent age of similarly-aligned features excavated to the east.
An east-to-west aligned ditch was a previously identified feature that was probably associated with a post-medieval field boundary.
Two pits were identified, one of which produced a post-medieval tile fragment. The small number of other discrete features were all thought to be of natural origin.

Information from draft assessment report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 12 July 2019.