NHER 66613 (Monument record) - Undated field system and discrete features

November 2020-March 2021. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of Norwich Western Link (Area 18).
This survey identified a north-to-south aligned linear anomaly that corresponds with a former field boundary depicted on the Weston Longville tithe map (S1). A number of other strong, north-west to south-east and north-east to south-west linear anomalies are likely to represent ditches associated with an earlier field system. A number of other weaker linear anomalies are of a more uncertain nature – all are regarded as being of uncertain origin. Other responses of undetermined origin that may be of archaeological interest include a small number of isolated strong discrete anomalies that potentially represent pit-type features and/or burnt material.
Various other much more amorphous anomalies are all of probable natural origin. Scattered dipolar discrete anomalies were probable caused by ferrous material on or close to the surface (most likely modern debris).
There was no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with a number of fragmentary linear cropmarks recorded at this location (two undated possible ditches recorded as NHER 50619 and the southernmost elements of another group of undated features recorded as NHER 53625)
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 22 October 2024.

May-July 2022. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of Norwich Western Link (Field TT09; Trenches 161-187).
The 27 trenches excavated at this location revealed various ditches and a small number of scattered discrete features. The ditches included a number of north-west to south-east and north-east to south-west aligned features likely to represent elements of the same field system (several of which had been identified by the preceding geophysical survey). Dating evidence was limited to single sherds of Early Iron Age and medieval pottery, both of which came from a single slot through the most extensive of the north-west to south-east aligned features.
The other ditches recorded were all undated. These included a north-to-south aligned feature that coincided with one of a pair of fragmentary linear cropmarks recorded in the eastern half of the site (NHER 50619). These was no evidence for surviving remains associated with two cropmarks mapped at the western end of the site (part of a group of undated features recorded as NHER 53625).
Samples taken from an undated pit and an undated ditch in the easternmost part of the site both produced charcoal but little else in the way of plant macrofossils or other remains.
A small number of worked flints was recovered during this work, all of which were either unstratified or likely residual within later features. This assemblage comprises a Neolithic core, a potentially Bronze Age scraper and a number of undiagnostic pieces, including a core, scraper, retouched flakes and unmodified waste flakes.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 22 October 2024.