NHER 66429 (Monument record) - Undated and post-medieval ditches

October-November 2020. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of Anglian Water Norwich to Wymondham water pipeline (Areas 40 and 401).
This survey identified a number of linear anomalies likely to represent infilled ditches, the majority of which are aligned either east-to-west or north-to-south. Two correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Wicklewood Tithe map of 1844 (S1) and the positions and orientations of the other anomalies suggest that many potentially represent elements of an earlier, but related field system. Possible exceptions that may represent earlier features include a group of slightly differently-aligned linear anomalies in the eastern half of the site.
A small number of more irregular linear anomalies were recorded as being of undetermined origin and do not necessarily represent archaeological remains.
Other anomalies of note include an area of strong dipolar anomalies towards the western end of the site that potentially represents a concentration of debris within the backfill of a former extraction pit.
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).
There was no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with a north-to-south aligned linear cropmark mapped at this location (part of a small group recorded as NHER 54651).
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 88 and 90-92).
The four trenches excavated at this location revealed only a single north-to-south aligned ditch. This feature coincided with a former field boundary depicted on the Wicklewood Tithe map (S1) and produced a single button of 19th-/20th-century date and a small number of animal bone fragments.
The blank trenches included one that coincided with a number of the linear anomalies identified by the preceding geophysical survey.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 November 2022.