NHER 66427 (Monument record) - Medieval to post-medieval ditches and undated pits

October-November 2020. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of Anglian Water Norwich to Wymondham water pipeline (Area 38).
This survey identified a seemingly related complex of north-to-south and east-to-west aligned linear anomalies in the northern half of the site, most, if not all of which are likely to represent infilled ditches. A number correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Wicklewood Tithe map of 1844 (S1), with the majority likely to represent elements of an earlier, but clearly related field system. A broad medieval to post-medieval date can therefore be suggested for these remains.
A small number of more irregular, fragmentary linear anomalies recorded as being of undetermined origin are less likely to represent archaeological remains.
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), 1 November 2022.

April-May 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of Anglian Water Norwich to Wymondham water pipeline (Trenches 81-84).
The four trenches excavated at this location revealed a number of north-to-south and east-to-west aligned ditches in the eastern half of the site, many of which correspond with linear anomalies recorded by the preceding geophysical survey. Several possible pits were also identified in this part of the site.
Finds were generally very scarce, although two ditches in the northernmost trench both produced sherds of early medieval pottery and fragments of animal bone. Samples taken from these features both produced charred cereal grains and other burnt material likely to represent hearth or midden.
Two of the ditches were features that also corresponded with former boundaries depicted on the Wicklewood Tithe map (S1). Both had clearly been recut on a number of occasions, providing further evidence that these represented the surviving elements of an earlier field system.
The possible pits were all unremarkable features, none of which produced any dating evidence.
No unstratified finds were recovered.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 November 2022.