NHER 1439 (Monument record) - Late Saxon or medieval salt works

Artificial mound north of Recreation Ground and railway about 7.6m (25') O.D.
Excavated first by unknown person at unknown date who dug a pit in centre.

1913.
B. Lowerison dug two sections 5.4m (18') wide, north to south 2.4m (8') and east to west 1.8m (6').
Found charcoal, shells, and animal bones, and hard grey pottery 'like 1st century Belgic'.
He called it a Gallo-Roman interment but his finds have since been lost.

August 1950. Whole mound excavated for Nofolk Research Committee.
See (S1).
Much briquetage, and pottery Late Saxon to early medieval.
Probably a salt boiling site.
Marked as 'Hut, site of (Antiquity)' on (S2).

Finds re-examined 1998, include Roman and Middle Saxon pottery.
See report in file.
Part of large scatter NHER 28850.
E. Rose (NAU).

April 2002. Norfolk NMP.
Site consisting of earthwork and cropmark evidence for several amorphous mounds, visible on vertical aerial photographs from the RAF in 1946 (S3) and the OS in 1967 (S4). The first is located at TF 6767 3789 and is approximately 108m by 97m. It is cut across by several sinuous gullies. This mound as viewed on the RAF 1946 aerial photographs (S3), is a cropmark on the 1967 OS photography (S4). The shape and size of the mound also looks truncated, this is probably due to the 1950 excavation of the site.
The second, eastern mound is located at TF 6776 3786 and is 70m by 45m. This is surrounded by another set of sinuous gullies. It is possible that these features are natural undulations and creeks to the east of the Heacham River. However the finding of briquetage and other material may suggest that these mounds are manmade.
The amorphous shape of the mounds, their location next to the Heacham river and the finds of briquetage within them suggests that these may have been salterns. Pottery dating from Roman to medieval was discovered at this site, the range of wares and other finds, may indicate some domestic activity at this site as well. However the excavation suggests that these possible salterns were Late Saxon to medieval in date.
S. Massey (NMP), 15 April 2002.