NHER 69799 (Monument record) - Medieval, post-medieval and undated remains

May 2019. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of potential archaeological impact of large proposed development.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 April 2026.

April and September 2022. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of part of large proposed development site (Area 5).
This survey identified an extensive group of north-north-east to south-south-west and west-north-west to east-south-east aligned linear anomalies in the western half of the site, surrounding the buildings associated with Breck Farm. These appear to be the remains of a group of rectilinear enclosures although their age is uncertain. They were potentially related to Breck Farm, although no corresponding remains are shown on the available 19th-century maps. They were perhaps most likely associated with an earlier farm or settlement of medieval to early post-medieval date. Two sinuous north-west to south-east aligned linear anomalies extending to the east of these enclosures appear to represent much more recent ditches, coinciding with boundaries depicted on the Taverham tithe map (S2). These extended from Breck Farm Lane and are shown on the later Ordnance Survey First Edition map (S3) to have flanked an area of wet ground associated with a minor watercourse that still flows to the east of this location.
Various other discrete anomalies and areas of magnetic disturbance are all thought to be either natural in origin or associated with recent activity on the site.
See report (S4) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 April 2026.

July-September 2025. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of part of large proposed development site (Trenches 67-73).
A total of seven trenches were excavated at this location, three of which were placed to investigate the group of probable rectilinear enclosures identified by the preceding geophysical survey. These revealed several corresponding ditches, although unfortunately none produced any dating evidence. Two of the ditches recorded were probably associated with the sinuous boundaries shown on 19th-century maps that were also associated with geophysical anomalies. These also produced no finds. A trench placed within the strip of former wetland between these ditches encountered what appeared to be water-lain deposits. The only features to produce any dating evidence were two north-to-south aligned ditches immediately to the south of Breck Farm that both produced small amounts of medieval pottery. This material at least confirms the presence of medieval activity at this location, even if the enclosures identified by the geophysical survey remains undated.
See report (S5) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 4 April 2026.