NHER 66879 (Monument record) - Medieval to post-medieval remains

November 2010. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of large proposed development area to north-east of Norwich.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 May 2023.

September 2017. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site.
This survey identified only a small number of potentially archaeologically-significant responses. These included two weak linear anomalies that might represent ditches, the first a east-north-east to west-south-west aligned feature at the western end of the site and the second a potentially curvilinear feature in the northernmost part of the site. A cluster of four anomalies at the eastern end of the site may present a group of pits.
Other linear anomalies recorded were all associated with recent activity, including several that correspond with wheel ruts observed in the surface of the field and other weak responses that can be attributed to modern ploughing. Two probable underground pipes were also identified. Several groups of large and intense anomalies are likely to represent foundations and/or demolition debris associated with a number of structures that previously occupied parts of the site (shown on later 20th-century Ordnance Survey maps). Numerous small but intense dipolar anomalies across the site are likely to have been caused by ferrous objects (most likely modern debris).
Information from report uploaded to OASIS. HER copy awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 2 May 2023.

May 2018. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
The twenty-two trenches excavated revealed only a small number of a scattered linear and discrete features, the majority of which were probably of relatively recent date.
The most notable was a flint and mortar lined well partially exposed in the north-east corner of the site. The uppermost fill of the well produced a range of late post-medieval to modern objects but it’s simply method of construction means that it was potentially much older.
Finds of late post-medieval to modern date were also recovered from one of two north-to-south aligned ditches recorded. This features coincides with a former field boundary depicted on 19th-century maps that once formed part of the Spixworth/Sprowston parish boundary. The other ditch produced no finds.
Other features included a small number of undated pits.
There was little concordance between the results of this work and those of the preceding geophysical survey, with none of the linear anomalies identified found to be associated with sub-surface remains. The group of discrete anomalies thought to be potentially archaeologically significance were found to coincide with a large silted area thought to represent an infilled quarry pit or pond. No finds were recovered from this feature.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 2 May 2023. Amended 18 January 2024.