NHER 1267 (Monument record) - Roman features and finds from cliff face at Hunstanton

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Summary

Roman features and finds. During the construction of a new esplanade and swimming baths in 1879, three Roman pits were found in a cliff face. They contained oyster shells and pottery and were probably rubbish pits, although they may have been graves. Other features containing Roman pottery have been recorded after having fallen from the cliff face. Some of these have been described as 'tombs'.

Protected Status/Designation

None recorded

Location

Map sheet	TF64SE
Civil Parish	HUNSTANTON, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

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Full Description

1879.
In excavating for new esplanade and swimming baths, three narrow pits with shells found in cliffs. All pits were 1.65m (5 1/2 feet) below surface, on top of carstone. Probably refuse pits of village but may be graves.
Pit I - here a horizontal line 25.4 to 30.5cm (10 to 12 inches) long indicated bottom - oyster shells were traced back 0.9m (3 feet).
Pit II - perpendicular lines as well dug away.
Pit III - only 35.5cm (14 inches) high, of square section. An urn found in it.
Three 1st century AD urns recorded from this site; fragments of one possibly from pit fill, illustrated in (S1).
See also (S2).

Possibly same site - from foot of cliff at Hunstanton near pier: small tombs exposed by cliff falling.
Pots found; one given to Hunstanton Hall where it was in 1901 but lost by 1961.
(S3).
E. Rose (NAU).

Plotted on map at TF 6719 4110 (corner).
(S4)
R.J. Rickett (NAU), 13 March 1990.

R.R. Clarke's (NCM) original transcript of above notes (S5) in file.

Associated Sources (9)

--- SNF50602 Photograph: NLA. Finds Photograph.
--- SNF87260 Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Roman. Hunstanton.
--- SNF57722 Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
--- SNF8804 Secondary File: Secondary File.
<S1> SNF997 Serial: 1880. Cambridge Antiquarian Society Collection. VolIV. pp 423, 426, 425; No xx.
<S2> SNF1141 Monograph: 1901. The Victoria History of Norfolk. The Victoria History of the Counties of England. Vol 1. p 318.
<S3> SNF1215 Article in Serial: [anonymous]. 1901. [proceedings of meeting held Thursday, April 18th, 1901]. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Second Series Vol XVIII pp 303-332. p 312.
<S4> SNF57204 Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TF 64 SE 1.
<S5> SNF56752 Unpublished Document: Clarke, R.R.. Site notes.

Site and Feature Types and Periods (3)

Object Types (2)

OYSTER SHELL (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

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Record last edited

Mar 13 2020 1:13AM