NHER 65838 (Monument record) - Post-medieval ditches and possible earlier enclosures and boundaries

October 2017-March 2018. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Area F108).
This survey identified a series of predominantly west-north-west to east-south-east or north-north-east to south-south-west linear anomalies, the majority of which correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the North Walsham tithe map (S1). The exceptions include a group of similarly-aligned anomalies at the northern edge of the site that appear to define a pair of smaller fields or enclosures adjacent to Little London Road. These presumably predate the field system shown on the 19th century maps.
A cluster of discrete anomalies adjacent to the road are regarded as being of undetermined origin and may therefore represent archaeological-significant remains.
A number of scattered discrete dipolar anomalies are likely to represent ferrous objects on or close to the surface (most likely modern debris). The remaining discrete anomalies are all of probable geological origin.
There was only limited correspondence between the results of this study and those of an earlier assessment of aerial imagery. Although the latter had identified a number of linear cropmarks at this location (recorded as NHER 36504) only those associated with late post-medieval field boundaries had corresponding geophysical anomalies. There was no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with what appeared to be elements of an earlier rectilinear enclosure on a markedly different alignment to those of the post-medieval boundaries.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 October 2024.

October 2020-June 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Area F080; Trenches 68 and 69).
The two trenches excavated at this location were both positioned to target the linear geophysical anomalies that potentially represented elements of fields or enclosures predating the late post-medieval field system. However, neither anomaly was found to be associated with sub-surface remains. There was also no evidence for sub-surface remains associated with a short north-west to south-east aligned cropmark that coincided with one of the trenches. The only feature uncovered was a ditch that corresponded with a former field boundary depicted on the North Walsham tithe map (S1). A single post-medieval pottery sherd was recovered from this ditch.
No unstratified finds were recovered.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 October 2024.