NHER 69862 (Monument record) - Early Neolithic, Roman and medieval to post-medieval remains

May 2012. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of potential archaeological impact of proposed development.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 14 May 2026.

October 2012. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site.
This survey identified a range of linear anomalies likely to represent infilled ditches in the northern half of the site, many of which correspond with cropmarks that were subsequently noted on aerial photographs of this location (all recorded under NHER 58504). A number of these linear responses clearly correspond with former field boundaries shown on the Ordnance Survey First Edition map (S2), while the positions and orientations of several others suggest a close association with the field system depicted. The latter likely represent either elements of an earlier system of land division that had formed the basis for the late post-medieval field system or boundaries that had been removed more recently. The remaining linear anomalies are mostly aligned either north-west to south-east or north-east to south-west and potentially represent elements of a much earlier field system. The majority of these potentially early features are also visible as cropmarks, with these being interpreted as potentially representing field boundaries and a possible enclosure of potential Iron Age to Roman date.
The survey also identified a dense cluster of linear and discrete anomalies in the south-west corner of the site. It is argued that these were probably the result of modern disturbance as this was apparently the site of a contractor's compound during the construction of the Aylsham bypass. However, the arrangement of the linear anomalies is distinctly rectilinear and the position and overall appearance of the group is very reminiscent of anomalies seen elsewhere that were subsequently demonstrated to be associated with areas of former medieval to post-medieval roadside settlement. This suggestion is supported by the cropmark evidence, which suggests these anomalies are bounded by an enclosure ditch.
Other responses of note include a fragmentary circular anomaly at TG 1968 2591 that could potentially represent some form of ring-ditch or circular enclosure. Two large discrete anomalies in the eastern part of the site potentially represent pit-type features, while more amorphous areas of magnetic disturbance adjacent to the southern edge of the field were probably caused by residual construction debris associated with the bypass.
See report (S3) for further information.
Previously recorded under NHER 58504 (which now only documents cropmarks visible on aerial imagery of this location).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 15 May 2026.

October-November 2024. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
The 53 trenches excavated revealed remains of likely prehistoric, Roman and medieval to post-medieval date, along with a range of undated ditches and discrete features.
Two adjacent pits in the northernmost part of the site were securely dated to the Early Neolithic period, these features producing nearly 200 Plain Bowl pottery sherds (the bulk of which were recovered from the larger feature). They were also found to contain small assemblages of what were probably contemporary worked flints, burnt flints and four pottery sherds that were tentatively identified as Early Bronze Age Collared Urn. Samples taken from their fills were found to contain charcoal and a range of charred plant macrofossils, including cereal grains, seeds and nutshell fragments. Although the site also produced a small number of Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age pottery sherds these were widely dispersed, with most, if not all, probably residual within later features. Two Late Iron Age pottery sherds were also recovered.
Many of the ditches recorded correspond with anomalies identified by the preceding geophysical survey and/or with cropmarks recorded during a detailed review of the available aerial imagery completed in 2022 (the latter recorded under NHER 58504). These included a number of north-west to south-east and north-east to south-west aligned features in the northern half of the site that had been thought to represent elements of an early field system. The excavated evidence supports a Roman date for these ditches, with Roman pottery present in two of the features and nothing of later date recovered. Roman pottery was also recovered from two pits in this part of the site. The small Roman pottery assemblage recovered consists primarily of locally-produced utilitarian coarse wares and appears to date largely to the earlier part of the period.
A clay-lined oven-type feature containing a reused Roman tile was also potentially associated with this phase of activity, although there is some uncertainty over its date as it also produced two very small pottery sherds that have been identified as medieval. Samples taken from its fills failed to produce any clear evidence for its function.
Other remains of note included a relatively dense group of medieval pits and ditches in the south-west corner of the site that were clearly associated with the cluster of geophysical anomalies recorded at this location. The extent of these remains was as anticipated, with all of the potentially medieval features lying within the area defined by the enclosure ditch visible as a cropmark. A small amount of Late Saxon pottery was recovered from the enclosure ditch and this and various other features produced early medieval pottery, although the majority also contained high medieval wares. Late medieval pottery was notable absent, with little evidence for significant activity at this location after the 14th century. Other finds recovered from these features included iron nails, pieces of iron slag and animal bone, while samples taken from two of the ditches produced charcoal and small amounts of charred cereal grain and other cereal waste.
Medieval pottery was also recovered from a number of pits and ditches in the north-east part of the site, although these appear to have been associated with a later phase of activity, with several of these features also producing late medieval/early post-medieval pottery and/or fragments of post-medieval ceramic building material. The ditches in this area included several features identified by the geophysical survey that likely represented either lost boundaries associated with the late post-medieval field system or elements of a much earlier precursor. The limited dating evidence recovered is consistent with this suggested medieval to post-medieval date range. Other ditches were clearly associated with the former field boundaries shown on the Ordnance Survey First Edition map (S2).
The more notable undated features included a small pit or post-hole with a charcoal-rich fill that contained a large amount of burnt flint.
Trenches in the south-east corner of the site revealed evidence for extensive modern disturbance – the presence of which had been suggested by a large area of magnetic disturbance recorded by the geophysical survey.
Trenches placed to investigate the sub-circular anomaly identified by the preceding geophysical survey revealed no corresponding sub-surface remains.
See report (S4) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 May 2026.