NHER 63589 (Monument record) - Potentially Early Neolithic and Bronze Age and undated 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), 14 July 2019.

March-June 2009. Geophysical Survey
Magnetometer survey on proposed line of the Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Site S16).
One of three adjacent areas survey in order to achieve a representative sample of the overall route.
Three roughly parallel, east-to-west aligned weak linear positive anomalies at the western edge of the survey area may represent soil-filled ditches. These appear to coincide with a former field boundary marked on 19th-century maps. A similarly-aligned linear anomaly identified at the southern end of the area examined therefore potentially represents another ditch of a broadly similar age.
No other potentially archaeologically-significant anomalies were identified. A number of other linear anomalies were probably the result of recent cultivation practices. Small discrete dipolar anomalies detected across the survey area were almost certainly caused by fired or ferrous debris in the topsoil.
See report (S3) for further details.
Previously recorded under NHER 28620.
P. Watkins (HES), 3 August 2015. Amended 14 July 2019.

April-September 2015. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed line of Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Field S15).
The eight trenches excavated revealed a small number of discrete features and several ditches.
There was clear evidence for prehistoric activity, with a several sherds of Early Neolithic pottery recovered from a probable tree throw hollow and a single sherd of potentially similar date found in a nearby pit.
A small number of worked flints were also recovered from the excavated ditches. Although most were probably residual, one possible exception was a potentially Middle Bronze Age or later irregularly-worked chunk in notably good condition that was recovered from an otherwise undated north-east to south-west aligned ditch. This feature was therefore regarded as potentially prehistoric.
Two east-to-west aligned ditches in the north-west corner of the site corresponded with two of the previously identified geophysical anomalies. One produced sherds sherds of post-medieval and post-medieval/modern pottery, confirming that these features relate to a field boundary of relatively recent date.
See report (S4) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 22 February 2021.

January-September 2016. Strip Map and Sample Excavation.
Excavation of site on route of Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Area 8).
This final phase of work saw the excavation of three additional trenches across the potentially prehistoric ditch identified by the preceding trial trenching. Several sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered from this feature, including three identified as probably Early Bronze Age. Although a small number of worked flints were also present, these appear to have been residual from an earlier, Mesolithic/Early Neolithic phase of activity. A sample taken from the fill of this ditch produced only sparse charcoal.
Six discrete pits or natural natural features were also exposed, one of which produced two sherds of undiagnostic prehistoric pottery. Although no finds were recovered from the other features it is thought that they were most likely prehistoric.
Information from draft assessment report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 22 February 2021.