NHER 69484 (Monument record) - Potentially Roman ditches

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Summary

A watching brief maintained the construction of a new house at this location in 2014 identified two perpendicular ditches of probable Roman date. Further monitoring during the construction of a second dwelling to the west in 2015 recorded no additional remains, although it should be noted that these foundation trenches did not reach the base of the subsoil layer present.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TF71NW
Civil Parish GAYTON, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Map

August 2014. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with construction of residential dwelling (Plot 2).
The excavated foundation trenches exposed two perpendicular ditches, one aligned west-north-west to east-south-east and the other north-north-east to south-south-west. Small amounts of Roman pottery were recovered from these ditches, with both containing sherds that were probably from the same vessel (a Nar Valley reduced ware jar of likely 3rd- to 4th-century date). One ditch also produced a fragment of iron slag and oyster shell.
A small number of unstratified finds were recovered from the subsoil layer, including late post-medieval/modern pottery sherds, ceramic building material of unspecified type/date and animal bone.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 28 September 2025.

May 2015. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with construction of residential dwelling (Plot 1, to west of earlier work).
No archaeologically-significant remains were recorded. It should though be noted that the excavated foundation trenches didn't reach the base of the reasonably thick subsoil layer, which may have obscured any features present.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 28 September 2025.

An archive that probably comprises material from both of the watching briefs at this site has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2016.250).
P. Watkins (HES), 28 September 2025.

Associated Sources (0)

  • OYSTER SHELL (Roman - 43 AD? to 409 AD?)
  • POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • SLAG (Roman - 43 AD? to 409 AD?)
  • POT (19th Century to Late 20th Century - 1801 AD to 2000 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Sep 29 2025 9:02AM

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