NHER 64658 (Monument record) - Post-medieval to modern quarry pits and undated ditches and pits

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Summary

A geophysical survey of this field in 2015 failed to identify any anomalies of potential archaeological significance. It was though noted that ground conditions (particularly a low magnetic susceptibility) may have hindered the recognition of archaeological deposits. Subsequent trial trenching revealed a small number of linear and discrete features, the majority of which produced little or no dating evidence. Two of the undated ditches identified do however potentially correspond with previously recorded cropmarks that are part of a group thought to represent remains of Late Prehistoric or Roman date (NHER 51973). Three of the discrete cropmarks in the group were however shown to correspond with large extractive pits that were probably of relatively recent date.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TG20NE
Civil Parish POSTWICK WITH WITTON, BROADLAND, NORFOLK

Map

May 2015. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of part of large proposed development area.
No potentially archaeologically significant anomalies were identified in this field.
It is however 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.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 7 March 2021.

March 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of south-west corner of site (Trenches 3-8),
The six trenches excavated at this location revealed a sparse scatter of linear and discrete features, the majority of which produced little or no dating evidence.
Several shallow undated ditches were identified in the northern half of the site. These included a pair of intercutting east-north-east to west-south-west aligned features that coincided with a previously recorded cropmark. A perpendicular ditch terminus in the same trench was potentially a continuation of a feature associated with another cropmark recorded to the north. Both cropmarks are part of a group thought to represent remains of Late Prehistoric to Roman date (NHER 51973). Two undated pits were also present in this part of the site, one of which contained a thin layer of charcoal.
The trenches excavated in the southern half of the site revealed four large probable quarry pits, three of which corresponded with discrete cropmarks mapped at this location (also recorded under NHER 51973). These pits were probably of relatively recent date, one producing fragments of post-medieval ceramic building material (along with animal bones and a piece of fired clay) and another a modern brick.
See report (S2) 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.

  • <S1> Unpublished Contractor Report: Roseveare, M. and Lewis, D. 2015. Land off Smee Lane, Norwich, Norfolk. Geophysical Survey Report. ArchaeoPhysica Ltd. SNN151.
  • <S2> Unpublished Contractor Report: Smart, R. 2021. Land South of Smee Lane, Postwick with Witton, Norfolk. Archaeological Evaluation. Cotswold Archaeology (Suffolk). SU0128_1.
  • XFIRED CLAY (Unknown date)
  • ANIMAL REMAINS (Post Medieval - 1540 AD? to 1900 AD?)
  • BUILDING MATERIAL (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • ROOF TILE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • BRICK (20th Century - 1901 AD to 2000 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Jul 27 2023 6:37AM

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