NHER 69895 (Monument record) - Late Saxon charcoal pits, post-medieval ditches and other, undated remains

August 2020. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of potential archaeological impact of proposed development.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 June 2026.

February 2022. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of part of large proposed development site (F2).
This survey identified a number of linear anomalies likely to represent infilled ditches. These include north-to-south and west-north-west to east-south-east aligned features at the northern end of the site that clearly correspond with former field boundaries shown on the Hainford tithe map. A band of strongly-magnetic discrete anomalies immediately to the south of the latter are thought to potentially represent areas affected by burning. An east-to-west aligned probable ditch at the northern edge of the site is also thought to relate to a relatively recent boundary, although no corresponding feature can be seen on the available 19th-century maps.
Several additional linear anomalies in the northern half of the site are likely to represent earlier field boundaries, including responses aligned north-north-east to south-south-west , west-north-west to east-south-east and west-south-west to east-north-east. At least one is a continuation of a linear anomaly recorded in the field immediately to the east (NHER 69894).
The majority of the remaining discrete anomalies are regarded as being natural in origin. Areas of magnetic disturbance around the margins of the field and scattered dipolar 'spikes' were probably caused by ferrous material on, or close to the surface – most likely modern debris.
Information from draft report.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 June 2026.

February-April 2023. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of part of large proposed development site (Trenches 42-78).
The 37 trenches excavated at this location revealed a number of ditches and various discrete features, with the majority of the former corresponding with linear anomalies identified by the preceding geophysical survey. Little dating evidence was recovered, finds being largely limited to prehistoric worked flints, most if not all of which were probably residual. The more notable pieces included a retouched blade of possible Late Upper Palaeolithic or Mesolithic date and an Early Neolithic knife, with the remainder of the assemblage consisting of undiagnostic debitage.
The majority of the ditches recorded lay in the northernmost part of the site and had mostly been identified by the preceding geophysical survey. As noted above, two can be seen to correspond with former field boundaries shown on the Hainford tithe map. The others were probably related to at least one earlier system of land division but produced no additional dating evidence. Similar (and in once case directly related) remains encountered in the field immediately to the east (NHER 69894) also produced few finds, although it was suspected that were most likely medieval to post-medieval in date.
The various pits recorded included several sub-circular features with dark charcoal-rich fills. Samples taken from these pits produced abundant charcoal (predominantly oak) but little else in the way of charred plant macrofossils. Some holly and lime charcoal was though also noted. Although no finds were recovered these pits are very similar to features seen elsewhere in the Norwich environs that are now thought to represent the traces of small-scale Saxon to medieval charcoal production. This interpretation was supported by a programme of radiocarbon dating undertaken, with charcoal samples from three of the pits at this site producing Late Saxon radiocarbon dates of 888-1012 cal AD at 95.4% probability (SUERC-128843; 1101 +/- 26 BP), 893-1024 cal AD at 95.4% probability (SUERC-128842; 1075 +/- 26 BP) and 895-1028 cal AD at 95.4% probability (SUERC-128848; 1063 +/- 26 BP). Similar pits were also recorded in the field to the east, with these features producing a mix of Late Saxon and Late Saxon to early medieval radiocarbon dates.
The undated features included a range of fairly unremarkable pits and a number of possible post-holes. Several large features interpretated as possible ponds were also recorded.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 15 June 2026.