NHER 66426 (Monument record) - Post-medieval or earlier field boundary and undated enclosures

October-November 2020. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of Anglian Water Norwich to Wymondham water pipeline (Area 37).
This survey identified a number of strong north-to-south and east-to-west aligned linear anomalies at the western end of the site, all of which are likely to be associated with infilled ditches. Two of these appear to represent elements of small rectilinear enclosures, while a more extensive east-to-west aligned feature extending from one of these is probably a field boundary ditch. The latter appears to coincide with a former field boundary depicted on the Wicklewood Tithe map (S1), although it is possible that this had earlier origins (particularly given its apparent relationship to the small enclosures).
Two strong discrete anomalies in the western half of the site are regarded as being of undetermined origin but potentially represent pit-type features.
Various large, amorphous areas of magnetic disturbance were probably the result of variations in the underlying geological deposits.
Numerous discrete dipolar anomalies and areas of magnetic disturbance at the margins of the fields are likely to represent ferrous material on or near the ground surface (most likely modern debris).
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 6 April 2023.

April-May 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of Anglian Water Norwich to Wymondham water pipeline (Trenches 79 and 80).
A trench positioned to coincide with the linear geophysical anomalies recorded at the western end of the site identified a number of corresponding ditches. These include a wide band of intercutting features that coincided with the more extensive east-to-west aligned anomaly (which appears to have been associated with a former field boundary depicted on the Wicklewood Tithe map (S1)). A north-east to south-west aligned ditch to the north was associated with one of the two probable enclosures and appeared to truncate a much narrower, east-to-west aligned ditch or gully. Unfortunately none of these features produced any dating evidence.
A second trench excavated in the western half of the site revealed no archaeologically-significant remains.
No unstratified finds were recovered.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 6 April 2023.