NHER 65128 (Monument record) - Medieval roadside enclosure and post-medieval field boundaries

September-October 2011. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site.
This survey identified a cluster of positive linear anomalies adjacent to the Norwich Road that are likely to represent the remains of a large rectilinear enclosure. One east-to-west aligned anomaly appears to represent a sub-division of this enclosure and there is potentially some form of extension to the north. A number of discrete anomalies are present within the enclosed area, one of which is identified as a possible pit. The other discrete anomalies are less clear and consequently of a more uncertain nature. The morphology of this enclosure is suggestive of a Roman date, particularly given the position of the site adjacent to a known Roman road (NHER 7947). It is though notable that the lines of both the northern and southern sides of the enclosure appear to be continued by extant boundaries on the opposite side of the Norwich Road. These have been in existence since at least the 19th-century, corresponding with field boundaries depicted on the Scole tithe map of 1840 (S1). It is therefore possible that we are looking at medieval or early post-medieval features that are partly fossilised in the arrangement of later fields.
The only responses of note in the remainder of the field were two extensive linear anomalies that correspond with former field boundaries shown on the 19th-century maps.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 6 July 2021 and 18 January 2024.

July 2021 and January 2024. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of potential impact of proposed development.
Site visits undertaken as part of this study identified no features of historical or archaeological significance.
See report (S3) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 January 2025.

September-October 2024. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
The trenches excavated identified a cluster of medieval features at the western edge of the site that coincided with the main group of geophysical anomalies, but only sparse, scattered remains across the remainder of the site.
The limited evidence for earlier activity included a small assemblage of prehistoric worked flints, the bulk of which were recovered from what were also certainly later features. This material consists primarily of small debitage potentially associated with Mesolithic/Early Neolithic bladelet production. Four Roman pottery sherds recovered were all residual within medieval contexts.
A substantial north-north-east to south-south-west aligned ditch at the western edge of the site coincided with the eastern side of the enclosure identified by the geophysical survey. Perpendicular ditches corresponded with linear anomalies thought to represent the southern side of the enclosure and an internal division. The majority of these ditches produced small amounts of high medieval pottery of probable 13th- to 14th-century date. The small number of other features recorded within the interior of the enclosure included a substantial probable extraction pit that produced the largest single assemblage of medieval pottery, along with a fragment of medieval/post-medieval tile, a piece of probable vitrified hearth lining and animal bones. Samples taken from this pit and the main enclosure ditch were both found to contain moderate quantities of charcoal and charred cereal grains (primarily free-threshing wheat, with smaller quantities of barley and rye also present).
The one feature of probable medieval date identified elsewhere on the site was a north-north-east to south-south-west aligned ditch in the south-west corner of the site, immediately to the south of the main enclosure. It is possible that this represented an element of another roadside enclosure.
The small number of features identified across the remainder of the site included several north-west to south-east aligned ditches, one of which produced finds of post-medieval date and another of which corresponded with a former field boundary shown on the Scole tithe map (S1). An extensive north-north-east to south-south-west aligned ditch also corresponded with a boundary on this map.
Undated possible colluvial deposits were recorded in the south-east part of the site, with a sample from one being found to contain a fairly large quantity of charcoal and frequent burnt flint fragments.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 January 2025.