NHER 67099 (Monument record) - Post-medieval and undated remains

November 2014. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site.
This survey of two adjacent fields identified no anomalies of definite archaeological significance. Although two extensive west-north-west to east-south-east linear anomalies were recorded in the northern field these both correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Watton tithe map of 1839 (S1). Several fragmentary weak positive and weak negative linear anomalies were also noted in this field, although these could be either archaeological or agricultural in origin. The same is also true of a weak amorphous, discrete positive anomaly in the same area. In the southern field the only responses of note were a series of closely-spaced parallel linear anomalies likely to be the results of modern agricultural activity. A number of other linear anomalies in this field are likely to represent field drains. A number of isolated magnetic ‘spikes’ scattered across the two fields and several areas of magnetic disturbance 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), 23 May 2023.

June 2018. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of proposed development site.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 23 May 2023.

February 2020. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
The 34 trenches excavated revealed only a small number of scattered ditches and pits, the majority of which were of probable post-medieval date.
The limited evidence for earlier activity included a small assemblage of Mesolithic/Early Neolithic and Neolithic/Bronze Age worked flints, all of which were either unstatified or likely residual within later features. A single sherd of Roman pottery was also recovered from an otherwise undated north-north-east to south-south-west aligned ditch in the north-west corner of the southern field. Evidence for medieval activity was limited to two fragments of Grimston-type ware, both of which came from an unstratified subsoil context.
The ditches recorded included two west-north-west to east-south-east aligned ditches in the northern field that had been identified by the preceding geophysical survey and correspond with former field boundaries depicted on 19th-century maps. Finds recovered from these features included late post-medieval pottery sherds, fragments of post-medieval brick, roof tile and clay tobacco pipe, an iron nail and pieces of animal bone. A north-north-east to south-south-west ditch identified at the northern end of this field was probably associated with a broadly contemporary field boundary. Also likely to have been of relatively recent date was a large probable quarry pit recorded in the northern field. A small assemblage of post-medieval finds was recovered from the fills of this feature, including pottery sherds, brick and tile fragments, pieces of clay tobacco pipe and a button. Iron objects and pieces of animal bone were also found.
A possible pit recorded in the southern field was also of probable post-medieval date, its upper fill being found to contain sherds of late medieval/post-medieval pottery and several fragments of post-medieval roof tile.
Other unstratified finds of note include a medieval/post-medieval button, a post-medieval coin, a post-medieval button and a post-medieval lead cloth seal. A piece of what appears to be worked tufa was also recovered which may have been utilised in a building of Roman or medieval date.
See report (S3) for further details.
An archive associated with this work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2020.20).
P. Watkins (HES), 23 May 2023.