NHER 66325 (Monument record) - Undated possible enclosures, pits and ditches

May 2018. Desk-based Assessment.
Environmental Impact Assessment of the potential impacts of the proposed Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm on the historic environment. This study incorporated the results of an initial walkover survey and the first phases of geophysical survey.
See relevant chapter of Environmental Statement and associated appendices for further detail (S1).
P. Watkins (HES), 4 September 2023.

November 2020-March 2021. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of Norwich Western Link (Area 10).
This survey identified two groups of short linear anomalies at the northern edge of the site that potentially represent small enclosures and possible associated remains. An extensive north-west to south-east aligned linear anomaly corresponds with a former field boundary depicted on the Weston Longville tithe map of 1841 (S2).
Various short, more irregular linear anomalies and a number of scattered discrete anomalies may also represent archaeologically-significant remains, although all are regarded as being of undetermined origin. The majority of the other anomalies recorded are throught to be either natural in origin or the results of recent agricultural activity.
There was little evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with the various fragmentary linear cropmarks previously mapped at this location (part of groups of potentially post-medieval and undated features recorded as NHERs 50608 and 54357 respectively)
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 24 February 2025.

November 2021-March 2022. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm onshore cable (Area 4701).
The only response of note is a north-west to south-east aligned linear anomaly that corresponds with a former field boundary depicted on the Weston Longville tithe map of 1841 (S2).
There is no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with an number of linear cropmarks visible on aerial photographs of this location (part of a group of undated probable ditches and field boundaries recorded as NHER 54357).
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 September 2023.

February-June 2022. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm onshore cable (P2TT62; Trenches 610-620).
The 11 trenches excavated at this location revealed only a north-west to south-east ditch, which had also been identified by the preceding geophysical survey. Although finds were limited to a single prehistoric flint flake this feature clearly corresponds with a former field boundary depicted on 19th-century maps.
There was again no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with a number of linear cropmarks mapped at this location (NHER 54357).
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 September 2023.

May-July 2022. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of Norwich Western Link (Field TT17; Trenches 71-108).
A total of 38 trenches were excavated at this location, to either side of the strip previously examined along the proposed route of Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm onshore cable.
The trenches placed to coincide with the possible enclosures recorded by the initial geophysical survey identified a number of corresponding ditches but unfortunately no dating evidence was recovered. Another ditch recorded in two of the trenches corresponds with the former field boundary depicted on the Weston Longville tithe map of 1841 (S2). This produced a single brick fragment of medieval to post-medieval date.
Across the rest of the site remains were limited to scattered pits and ditches, the majority of which produced no finds. The one exception was a pit close to the eastern edge of the site that contained a single medieval pottery sherd. Several of the undated pits were potentially associated with geophysical anomalies, including one large feature that contained fragments of wood and much charcoal. A sample from one of its fills produced large quantities of charcoal and pieces of charred root/stem but little else in the way of plant macrofossils or other debris.
Although a number of the trenches coincided with previously identified cropmarks (part of groups recorded as NHERs 50608 and 54357) no corresponding remains were identified.
Unstratified finds were limited to a small assemblage of prehistoric worked flints, including a potentially Early Neolithic piercer and a Neolithic side scraper and retouched flake.
See report (S4) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 24 February 2025.