NHER 3556 (Find Spot record) - Unprovenanced prehistoric and undated finds (Congham, poorly located)

Various prehistoric objects found in Congham during the late 19th century and early 20th century, but with no additional information regarding provenance.

1854. Stray Find.
In around 1854 a stone hammer and a bowl or mortar were found by a Mr Elwes of Congham. A sketch of these items was exhibited at a meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society in the September of that year (S1). The bowl/mortar was previously recorded as NHER 3557. According to (S2) the "stone hammer" is probably that same object as a perforated quartzite pebble macehead (6" wide) that was mentioned by Evans in 1897 (S3). These objects are not closely datable, having been found in both Mesolithic and later prehistoric contexts. At the time Evans was writing the macehead was in the Fitch Collection. It is therefore likely that this object was amongst the items subsequently bequeathed to the Norwich Castle Museum, although it is not possible to identify it in the museum's records. The accession number listed on (S2) (NWHCM : 1894.76.841) is incorrect, this being a large Neolithic hammer from Longham.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 8 December 2013.