NHER 69255 (Monument record) - Roman enclosure and post-medieval field boundary ditches

March 2023. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on route of proposed West Winch Housing Access Road (Section 11).
This survey identified a group of roughly north-to-south and east-to-west aligned linear anomalies at the southern end of the site. These appear to form at least two (possibly three) sides of a small rectilinear enclosure, with another ditch running parallel to its northern side. It is possible that this had been a roadside enclosure, the ditches being parallel with, and perpendicular to, the adjacent Chequers Lane (which had potentially formed the southern side of the enclosure). A number of discrete anomalies within and close to this possible enclosure may also represent archaeologically-significant remains. Other, weaker linear trends recorded in this area are though of a more uncertain nature.
An east-to- west aligned linear anomaly crossing the central part of the site corresponds with a former field boundary shown on the North Runcton tithe map (S1).
Various other linear anomalies were the result of recent agricultural activity and scattered discrete ferrous anomalies were probably caused by ferrous objects on or close to the surface (most likely modern debris).
See report (S2) for further details.
An archive associated with this work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2023.118).
P. Watkins (HES), 4 August 2025.

September 2023. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of potential impact of proposed West Winch Housing Access Road.
See report (S3) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 August 2025.

April-May 2025. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on route of proposed West Winch Housing Access Road (Trenches 200-214).
Trenches placed to investigate the linear geophysical anomalies identified at the southern end of the site encountered a number of corresponding features. These included two ditches associated with the anomalies that appeared to represent the western and northern sides of a rectilinear enclosure, plus another north-to-south aligned feature that had potentially formed its eastern side. It appears this enclosure was probably Roman, with pottery of this date recovered from all three ditches, along with a Roman coin and fragments of animal bone. Two fragments of ceramic building material identified as medieval/post-medieval roof tile were also found in these features, but these were potentially intrusive. An east-to-west aligned ditch immediately to the north of the probable enclosure (which coincided with another of the geophysical anomalies) was potentially associated with the same phase of activity but produced no dating evidence. Remains within the enclosure were limited to a broad, shallow linear feature seen in two adjacent trenches that is tentatively interpreted as a possible trackway. Two Roman pottery sherds were recovered from the fill of this feature.
The small number of features encountered across the remainder of the site included a group of intercutting east-to-west aligned ditches that coincided with a former field boundary depicted on the North Runcton tithe map (S1). Two fragments of post-medieval brick were recovered from one of these ditches, which had also been identified by the preceding geophysical survey. A perpendicular north-to-south aligned ditch to the south corresponds with another boundary shown on the same map.
Unstratified finds were limited to an iron horseshoe of probable 19th- or 20th-century date.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 August 2025.