NHER 64573 (Monument record) - Post-medieval structural remains

October 2010. Trial Trench.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
The single trench excavated demonstrated that undisturbed natural sand and chalk deposits lay only 0.35m below modern ground level. The only remains of archaeological interest were walls and an associated floor surface that represented the corner of a demolished building; possibly one that had fronted onto Jolly Sailors Yard.
The walls, one of which had been robbed out, were constructed from chalk lump and occasional flints bonded with lime mortar. The associated floor surface was made from pamment tiles and bricks and had also been partially robbed out. These structural remains were set within a cut that had truncated the natural chalk deposits.
The date of this structure wasn’t entirely clear. A brick retrieved from the floor is similar to those found in 17th-century contexts in Norwich, but the pamment tiles are of much more recent, late 19th- to early 20th century date.
A single sherd of modern pottery and a pair of modern iron scissors were the only finds recovered from the debris overlying the remains of the building.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 28 January 2021.

June 2011. Excavation.
This excavation of an area at the northern end of the site revealed further remains associated with the post-medieval building discovered by the initial trial trench.
It was again clear that its original construction had involved some truncation of the underlying chalk bedrock, which was then incorporated into the earliest floor of the building. Two brick structures appeared to be associated with this first phase of construction. Notably, these incorporated a number of ‘Dutch’ bricks which probably date to the early post-medieval period. A substantial north-to-south aligned wall appeared to have been a subsequent addition and had been entirely robbed out, leaving only its chalk block foundations. Impressions left in bedding material to the west of this wall suggest that a tiled floor has also been removed, presumably when the building was demolished.
The clunch walls and tile floor exposed by the trial trench were shown to be associated with a relatively small rectangular structure associated with the later phase of construction. Two York stone slabs were found to be set into the floor, one of which had a heat-affected surface. It is therefore suggested that this structure may have been a scullery, with the stone slab possibly having acted as a support for a hot water copper.
Two shallow pits to the east of the north-to-south aligned wall both contained ashy, charcoal- and coal-flecked fills and are thought to have been contemporary with the occupation of the building. One produced a number of domestic fowl and duck bones. Two other pits are though thought to either be associated with, or post date the demolition of the building. The larger of the two produced a small assemblage of clay tobacco pipes (including one made between 1810 and 1839) and several iron objects that were possibly tools.
Following the demolition of this building its remains were seal by a layer of crushed chalk.
Both the available documentary sources and the excavated evidence appear to support the suggestion this building was the Jolly Sailor public house; which is recorded by (S2) as having been present by at least 1720 and demolished in 1807 (the licence having moved to new premises on 11 October 1807). We also know from the available maps that the site doesn’t appear to have been occupied since at least the mid-19th century.
The small number of unstratified finds recovered during this work included an unusual object made from walrus tusk ivory that may have been some kind of sailor’s tool.
See assessment report (S2) for further details. Final report awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 28 January 2021.


An archive comprising material associated with both phases of work at this site has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2011.151).
P. Watkins (HES), 28 January 2021.