NHER 65431 (Monument record) - Medieval to post-medieval features

May 2010. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of part of large proposed development area (Field 1).
This survey identified a range of linear anomalies, a significant proportion of which appear to correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Attleborough tithe map of 1838 (S1) and the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch map (S2). The mix of curving and straight boundaries and the range of alignments present make it likely that this part of the late post-medieval field system fossilised elements of a much earlier arrangement. A number of the linear geophysical anomalies that don't correspond with known 19th-century boundaries potentially represent elements of this earlier field system. These include two extensive curvilinear anomalies that appear to form elements of the western and southern sides of a large, somewhat irregular field. A series of straighter, north-to-south aligned linear anomalies within its bounds potentially represent the traces of associated strip fields. Two of these anomalies correspond with the boundaries of a narrow field depicted on the tithe map, suggesting this was a surviving element of this older, potentially medieval or early post-medieval system of land division. An 'L'-shaped negative linear anomaly at the southern end of this field is tentatively interpreted as some form of structure - possibly a wall associated with a yard.
A number of the anomalies detected at the eastern end of the site clearly correspond with features that are also visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs (part of a large group recorded as NHER 57493). Three moderately enhanced discrete anomalies detected at this location (c. TM 0421 932) have been tentatively interpreted as possible kilns or similar industrial features. The same interpretation is also suggested for two similar, outlying anomalies. The main group appears to have lain within a rectangular area defined by a number of ditches visible as geophysical anomalies and/or cropmarks. These ditches were similarly aligned to those associated with the probable strip fields, suggesting these features were all potentially associated with the same broad phase of activity.
Several particularly straight linear anomalies correspond with boundaries that were added between 1838 and the production of the Ordnance Survey First Edition map in the early 1880s. An area of weak magnetic disturbance at TM 04054 93188 corresponds with a former pond depicted on this map.
An area of amorphous magnetic disturbance in the northernmost part of the site may indicate the presence of midden material, burnt soil or other settlement debris.
Other responses of a more uncertain nature included a weak and ill-defined negative anomaly of broadly annular form in the western part of the site. It is suggested that it could represent the remains of a structure, but it may well not be archaeological in origin.
See report (S3) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S4).
Previously recorded under NHER 17218.
It should be noted that the figures accompanying the report on this work suggest that the data has been distorted somehow, with several linear anomalies in the southern half of the area examined clearly not lining up with corresponding boundaries depicted on (S2). This was confirmed by a subsequent geophysical survey undertaken in 2022/2023 (see below), which suggests a displacement of up for 25m for some of the anomalies identified.
S. Howard (HES), 2011. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 28 February 2022 and 23 October 2024.

August-September 2015. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of part of large proposed development area.
A total of 13 trenches were excavated at this location, nine in the western half of the site (Trenches 17-20 and 56-60) and four close to the eastern end of the field (Trenches 21-24 - previously recorded separately as NHER 65435).

The majority of the western group of trenches were positioned to target linear anomalies identified by the preceding geophysical survey. These trenches revealed a range of features, although only a selection of these were subject to hand excavation.
Several trenches coincided with the extensive curvilinear anomalies thought to represent a field boundary ditch. The southern, east-to-west aligned section was shown to correspond with a substantial ditch, although unfortunately no dating evidence was recovered. A ditch associated with the southern portion of its west side was also identified but not subject to further investigation.
Although a curving anomaly to the north was thought to represent a continuation of this boundary (forming the north-west corner of this probable field or enclosure), a trench placed across its line failed to identify a corresponding ditch. Much of this trench was however obscured by an extensive layer of clay, only a small portion of which was removed. This deposit had a fibrous organic texture and produced a small quantity of possible Iron Age pottery and a number of horse bones (all possibly from the same animal). The partial removal of this layer revealed part of an undated possible pit.
Four trenches placed within what would have been the interior of this large field or enclosure revealed a range of additional features. At the northern end of the site, several large possible extraction pits were recorded. Although only subject to minimal investigations these all produced multiple sherds of medieval pottery (predominantly early medieval ware), along with a brick fragment and a small quantity of animal bone. A number of north-west to south-east and north-east to south-west aligned ditches were also recorded. One of these features produced a single sherd of post-medieval pottery and corresponds with a former field boundary depicted on the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six Inch map (S2). The others remain of uncertain date, although their orientations suggest that they are perhaps more likely to have been associated with the post-medieval field system than an earlier phase of activity.
A single trench excavated in the south-eastern part of the site revealed a group of six ditches, one of which appeared to turn through 90 degrees, suggesting it was potentially the corner of a small enclosure. The other five ditches were intercutting, suggesting they were probably associated with multiple phases of activity. One ditch produced a single Roman pottery sherd and another contained three sherds of early medieval pottery.
A pit on the opposite site of the curvilinear field or enclosure ditch had a fill containing frequent charcoal and patches of scorched sand. The presence of this burnt material is potentially notable, given that the geophysical survey identified a number of discrete anomalies that could represent the remains of kilns or similar. A trench excavated at the northern edge of the site also exposed an area of scorched nature sand (also on what would have been the outside of the large field/enclosure).
A north-to-south aligned negative linear anomaly identified by the geophysical survey was found to correspond with a modern drainage trench.
Unstratified finds were limited to a single additional sherd of early medieval pottery.

The four trenches excavated at the eastern end of the site revealed two ditches, an irregular ovoid pit and two small pits or post-holes - none of which produced any convincing dating evidence.
The two ditches were parallel north-north-east to south-south-west aligned features and therefore potentially related to the group of similarly aligned features visible as cropmarks on aerial photographs of the field to the north (part of a large group recorded as NHER 57493). An irregular shallow linear feature adjacent to one of the ditches was potentially the remains of an associated hedge.
A number of these features produced prehistoric worked flints, although most, if not all of this material was probably residual. The whole assemblage is of probable later Neolithic to Bronze Age date and includes flakes, unsystematically produced blades, at least one core, a notched flake and a retouched flake.
No unstratified finds were recovered.

Information from report uploaded to OASIS. HER copy awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 March 2022. Amended 10 October 2024.

November 2022-March 2023. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of narrow strip along route of proposed new access road (Fields 3a and 3b).
This survey identified a number of linear anomalies in the western half of the field, the majority of which had also been detected by the earlier survey. These included a particularly distinct response associated with a slightly sinuous ditch that appears to have formed the boundary of a large field. Several other linear anomalies clearly correspond with former field boundaries depicted on 19th-century maps, including three roughly north-to-south aligned anomalies and one east-to-west aligned anomaly that all also coincide with previously mapped cropmarks (part of an extensive group recorded as NHER 57493).
A number of other linear anomalies are likely to represent land drainage while a number of parallel north-to-south aligned responses in the central part of the field are the result of recent cultivation.
A large amorphous anomaly at TM 0405 9318 corresponds with a former pond depicted on (S2).
Scattered discrete dipolar anomalies were probably caused by ferrous material on or close to the surface (most likely modern debris).
See report (S5) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 October 2024.

March-July 2023. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of route of proposed new access road (Trenches 1-16) and site of proposed Terminal Pumping Station at western edge of field (Trenches 237-238).
These trenches revealed various ditches – the majority of which corresponded with previously identified geophysical anomalies. The most notable of these were several substantial features in the western half of the site that represented elements of the same sinuous former field boundary. Given this field boundary was thought to be medieval or early post-medieval in date it is notable that datable finds were limited to a small number of Roman pottery sherds. The other features included several ditches that clearly corresponded with former field boundaries depicted on one or both of (S1) and (S2). A number of other ditches were potentially associated with earlier phases of activity, although the majority produced no dating evidence. The one exception was a north-west to south-east aligned ditch at the western edge of the field that contained a single medieval pottery sherd.
The small number of possible pits recorded were all also undated. These appear to have been fairly unremarkable.
See report (S6) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 October 2024.