NHER 66042 (Monument record) - Post-medieval ditches and undated pit

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 F262).
This survey identified little of potential archaeological interest. The most notable responses are a pair of adjoining, north-north-west to south-south-east and east-north-east to west-south-west aligned linear anomalies; both of which correspond with former field boundaries shown on the Swanton Morley tithe map (S1). A large discrete area of magnetic disturbance at the western end of the site represents an infilled pond or former quarry pit shown at this location on the Ordnance Survey First Edition map (S2).
The majority of the other discrete anomalies recorded are thought to be the result of variations in the underlying geology. Scattered dipolar anomalies were probably caused by ferrous material on or close to the surface – most likely modern debris.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 27 January 2026.

October 2020-June 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Area F262; Trench 283).
The single trench excavated at this location was placed to investigated the north-north-west to south-south-east aligned linear anomaly recorded by the preceding geophysical survey. The corresponded ditch produced no dating evidence, but, as noted above, this feature clearly corresponds with a former boundary shown on the Swanton Morley tithe map (S1). The one other feature exposed was a pit with a charcoal-rich fill and heat-scorched margins. A sample taken from its fill was found to contain frequent fragments of oak charcoal but little else in the way of plant macrofossil. Although some magnetic possible hammerscale or microslag was also present this pit appears to have been very similar to features seen elsewhere in the county that are now thought to represent the traces of small-scale Saxon and medieval charcoal production.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 27 January 2026.