NHER 65841 (Monument record) - Undated possible ring-ditch and other, post-medieval and undated remains

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 F107).
This survey identified various linear anomalies, although virtually all either correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the North Walsham tithe map (S1) or clearly represent lost elements of the same field system. The small number of exceptions include a north-north-east to south-south-west aligned anomaly in the south-west corner of the site.
An extensive linear band of discrete anomalies between TG 2815 3175 and TG 2832 3163 follows the line of one of the post-medieval field boundaries and is thought to represent an area of former quarrying. Other clusters of discrete anomalies at TG 2845 3161 and TG 2826 3137 are regarded as being of undetermined origin and may therefore represent archaeologically-significant remains. The former coincides with the known location of a former windmill (NHER 6858), but there was no evidence for remains associated with this structure.
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 no evidence for surviving remains associated a cropmark ring-ditch visible at TG 2836 3156 (part of an assorted group of cropmarks recorded as NHER 36505).
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 October 2024.

May 2020-January 2021. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Area F083).
Survey of small block at eastern edge of site, immediately north of burial ground.
A roughly north-to-south aligned linear anomaly corresponds with a former field boundary shown on the North Walsham tithe map (S1).
Much of the remainder of the area examined was obscure by an area of magnetic disturbance thought to represent ferrous debris.
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 F084; Trenches 70-76, 410, 438 and 448).
One of the excavated trenches was positioned to coincide with the relatively small ring-ditch visible as a cropmark at TG 2836 3156 (part of a group of assorted remains recorded as NHER 36505). This revealed several ditches, one of which coincided with the western side of the ring-ditch. No finds were recovered from this ditch and a sample from its fill produced only charcoal, possible iron hammerscale/microslag and a small amount of potentially prehistoric flint debitage. It should be noted that the orientation of this feature didn't match that of the selection of the ring-ditch with which it coincides. It is possible that the cropmark was mapped a little to the south of its true position, in which case a north-east to south-west aligned ditch in this trench and a north-west to south-east aligned feature in a trench immediately to the north could also potentially correspond with the ring-ditch. Unfortunately both of these ditches were also undated.
Trenches placed in the vicinity of the site of the former windmill (NHER 6858) revealed no associated remains. The cluster of geophysical anomalies recorded in this part of the site were shown to be of natural origin. It was though confirmed that a group of discrete anomalies at TG 2831 3164 were indeed associated with large quarry pits. A fragment of post-medieval clay tobacco pipe was recovered from one these features.
There was no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with a north-north-west to south-south-east aligned cropmark at TG 2840 3150 and a north-north-east to south-south-west aligned cropmark at TG 2835 3161 (both also recorded under NHER 36505).
The majority of the ditches recorded correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the North Walsham tithe map (S1). These included a north-north-east to south-south-east aligned feature at TG 2841 3163 that contained post-medieval pottery and fragments of post-medieval and undatable ceramic building material.
The one other feature of note was an undated sub-circular pit with a dark, charcoal-rich fill. A sample taken from this deposit produced charcoal but little else apart from a small number of potentially prehistoric flint chips.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 October 2024.