NHER 1554 (Find Spot record) - Multi-period finds from site of Late Iron Age to Roman settlement

1950. Stray Find.
Found on ploughed field 1/3 mile [0.5km] east of Paper Hall Farm (Context 1 at [1]):
Late Iron Age/Roman carinated pottery sherds. Wheel-turned imitation of Gallo-Belgic pottery - 1st century AD.
Reported by [2] but now probably lost.
Information from record card (S1), which also has a sketch of one of the pottery sherds.
Previously recorded as NHER 1551.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 5 December 2024.

1955. Stray Find.
Recovered from south-west corner of field adjacent to Marsh Road (Context 2 at [3]):
Roman pottery.
Oyster shells and iron slag.
Fragment of stone mould.
The Roman pottery sherds were donated to the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 1955.88) [4].
Information from record cards (S1) and (S2).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 5 December 2024.

1955. Stray Find.
Recovered from south-east corner of site in vicinity of [5]:
Medieval pottery of 13th- to 15th-century date, including sagging bases and glazed ware jugs.
Later donated to Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 1955.88). [6].
Compiled by R. R. Clarke (NCM). Information from record card (S3).
This material was checked by in January 1982 by A. Rogerson (NAU) and one sherd found to be Bourne Ware fabric D pancheon [15th to early 17th century].
Compiled by A. Rogerson (NAU), 20 January 1982. Information from record card (S2).
Previously recorded under NHER 1558 (the former extent of which is now recorded as Context 4).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 6 December 2024.

1955. Stray Find.
Found in vicinity of [7]:
Roman pottery and iron slag.
Compiled by R. R. Clarke (NCM).
Information from record card (S1).
Previously recorded under NHER 1557 (the former extent of which is now recorded as Context 3).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 6 December 2024.

Cropmarks noted at this location in 1980 are now recorded under NHER 26626.
P. Watkins (HES), 10 December 2024.

Winter 1983/1984. Fieldwalking.
Examination of ploughed field while walking strip along western proposed line of Snettisham bypass (field numbered 98 for purpose of survey).
Found in Square 8 (175m-200m north of south field boundary), at [8] (Context 6):
3 Roman pottery sherds (including one Iceni rusticated and one late shell-gritted).
1 medieval body sherd.
These sherds are now held (along with other material from the NAU fieldwork) by the Norwich Castle Museum.
Other material found approximately 100m to the north was unfortunately lost, including:
Roman pottery (Samian ware) and puddingstone quern fragments.
Roman to medieval lava quern fragments.
Medieval pottery (Grimston ware).
This spread runs almost to the new north-east field boundary at [9].
Compiled by T. Gregory (NAU), 27 March 1984. Information from record card (S2).
Previously recorded as NHER 20200 [10].
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 6 December 2024.

For results of 1984 soil phosphate and magnetic susceptibility survey, see archive for NHER 1555.
D. Gurney (NLA) 23 October 1996. Previously noted under NHER 20200.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 6 December 2024.

Winter 1984/1985. Stray Find.
Concentration of Late Saxon to post-medieval sherds recovered from 200m x 75m area in south-east corner of field (Context 7), which also coincides with a spread of chalk rubble. Finds recovered include:
30 Late Saxon pottery sherds (Thetford type ware, mostly Grimston-Thetford).
24 medieval pottery sherds.
5 late medieval/early post-medieval pottery sherds.
9 post-medieval pottery sherds.
Identified by A. Rogerson (NAU), 17 May 1985.
These pottery sherds were donated to Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 1998.43.2).

Found in same general area but retained by finder:
1 Late Iron Age coin (Roman issue denarius of Mark Antony).
8 Roman coins and 8 brooches.
Medieval ring brooch.

These finds were all previously recorded under NHER 1558.
For further details see record notes for NHER 1558 (S4) and finder's map.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 6 December 2024.

1987-1988. Metal-detecting.
Recovered from south-east part of site (area of Context 4):
?Bronze Age copper alloy possible awl fragment.
7 Roman brooches, a cosmetic mortar, decorative boss (possibly from top of brooch), possible stylus fragment and 2 copper alloy pinheads.
Late Saxon unidentified Ringerike object.
3 medieval buckles, 2 ring brooches, a strap end, purse frame fragment and lead pot mend.
2 ?medieval harness rings or buckles.
3 medieval/post-medieval buckles, a scabbard chape, harness pendant, possible attachment stud for harness pendant, possible casket mount, hinge plate, possible needlework implement, 2 copper alloy vessel fragments, copper alloy cauldron foot and copper alloy ewer leg.
4 post-medieval coins, 1 jetton, 1 token, 2 hooked tags, 4 buckles, 3 buttons, a coin weight, chain links with attachment plate, mount, hooked probable box fastener, possible casket stud, knife-handle end cap, possible pin holder, pastry cutter, copper alloy possible coin weight, copper alloy stud and lead seal matrix.
?Post-medieval lead weight.
Identified by W. Milligan (NCM), May 1988. See list in file and finder's map.
These objects were previously recorded under NHER 1558.
A later addition records that the original card for this list by W. Milligan also notes a Late Saxon or early medieval pottery curfew base that is held by the Norwich Castle Museum (possibly one of several pottery sherds accessioned as NWHCM : 1999.9.4.2). It is unclear whether this is a separate item or a reference to one of the sherds found in 1984/1985.

Recovered from western half of site, in area of Context 8 (original extent of NHER 1554):
1 Late Iron Age coin (Republican denarius 1st to 2nd century BC, with test marks).
1 Roman coin (Denarius of Antoninus Pius COS III AD 161) and head of hinged Colchester derivative brooch (late 1st century; finder's No. 714a).
1 medieval coin (penny of Henry VIII 1526 to 1543 Canterbury mint, Archbishop Warham 1526 to 1532 (uncertain).
Identified by A. Gregory (NAU), and S. Margeson (NCM) and compiled by W. Milligan (NCM), May 1988.
An additional note on (S5) states that a further 207 Roman coins were also found in this area - see [11].

Found in central part of site (area of Context 3):
1 Late Iron Age coin (silver Iceni boar/horse type C; weight 0.655g).
1 medieval coin (?Edward I York mint, penny).
Identified by T. Gregory (NAU) and W. Milligan (NCM) and compiled by W. Milligan (NCM), May 1988. See finder's map.
Previously recorded under NHER 1557.

Found in south-east part of site, at [12]:
Medieval decorated strap end with stamped border.
Identified by S. Margeson (NCM) and compiled by W. Milligan (NCM), 15 September 1987. Information from record card (Sb).
Previously recorded under NHER 24055.

Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 10 December 2024.

January 1989. Fieldwalking.
Fieldwalking in western part of site (area of Context 8) by [13]:
Undated unidentified iron object, 2 burnt flints ('pot boilers'), 1 animal bone fragment and slag lumps.
1 prehistoric flint flake.
40 Roman pottery sherds and 1 tile fragment.
Identified by D. Gurney (NAU), 2 February 1989. See list in file.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 10 December 2024.

1992-1993. Metal detecting.
From western part of site, at [14]:
Roman metalsmith's hoard comprising two patera in 68 fragments. These lay at a depth of 18 inches [46cm] with the two bases uppermost, on top of the other fragments. See drawings (S6)-(S10).
From western part of site, at [15]:
Roman Colchester derivative rear hook brooch (odd but still AD 40 to 60/65).
Identified by D. Mackreth, 1993. See polaroid (S11).
Compiled by W. Milligan (NCM) 17 May 1994.

From south-east part of site (area of Context 4):
Early post-medieval hooked tag, complete cast relief rosette on circular plate.
Identified by S. Margeson (NCM), 1993 and compiled by W. Milligan (NCM), 25 April 1997.

Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 10 December 2024.

1994-1995. Metal detecting finds.
From central part of site (area of Context 3):
1 Roman coin (1st century as of Vespasian).
Identified by J. Davies (NCM), 23 January 1996. See list in file.
Previously recorded under NHER 1557.

From south-east part of site (area of Context 4):
1 Roman coin, fantail brooch foot (?type, ?1st century) and stud.
Late Saxon strap end.
Medieval belt stiffener and swivel loop from leash.
Coin identified by J. Davies (NCM), 23 January 1996 and other objects by S. Margeson (NCM), 1995. Main list compiled by W. Milligan (NCM), 16 June 1995. See lists and polaroids (S11).
Previously recorded under NHER 1558.

From south-east corner of site at [12]:
2 Roman coins (1st-century asses).
Post-medieval button (17th century).
See list and polaroid (S1) in file.
Coins identified by J. Davies (NCM), 22 January 1996 – see list in file. Compiled by W. Milligan (NCM), 18 April 1996.
Previously recorded under NHER 24055.

From western part of site (area of Context 8):
Roman 2nd-century plate brooch.
Medieval lead ?token.
Identified by S. Margeson (NCM), 1995 and compiled by W. Milligan (NCM), 2 April 1998. See list in file.

From north-east part of site at area centred [16] (Context 9]:
Roman Colchester Derivative rear hook brooch (around 40 to 60/65).
Identified by D. Mackreth, 1995. Compiled by W. Milligan (NCM), 19 April 1996 (to NLA June 1998).
Previously recorded under NHER 33626.

See NHER 68696 for details of 10 other, more poorly located Roman brooches were also found at this time. The majority were probably from this field but some came from the field on the opposite site of the A149 (in the area recorded as NHER 17626).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 10 December 2024.

1995-1996. Metal-detecting.
Found in south-east part of site (area of Context 4):
1 Roman coin, 2 brooches and a cosmetic pestle (S12).
Early Saxon knob from 5th-century cruciform brooch.
Medieval harness fitting.
Medieval/post medieval buckle and lead weight.
Post-medieval button, clasp and lead openwork mount.
Coin identified by J. Davies (NCM), 17 April 1997, brooches by D. Mackreth, 1996 and other objects by H. Geake (NCM), 1996. See lists and photocopies of objects in file. Compiled by W. Milligan (NCM), 21 April 1997.
Previously recorded under NHER 1558.
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 10 December 2024.

1996-1997. Metal-detecting.
From western part of site (area of Context 8):
1 Roman coin and fragment of enamelled miniature seat.
?Modern unidentified object in jet-like material.

From south-east part of site (area of Context 4):
Undated copper alloy ring.
1 Roman coin.
Medieval bar mount with quatrefoil pendant loop.
Post medieval ring thimble and copper alloy tack.
Roman coin.
Previously recorded under NHER 1558.

Coins identified by J. Davies (NCM) and other objects by H. Geake (NCM). See lists and photocopies of objects in file. Compiled by E. Rose (NLA), 26 April 1999. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 10 December 2024.

1997-1998. Metal-detecting.
From south-east part of site (area of Context 4):
1 Late Iron Age coin.
2 medieval buckles.
1 late medieval/early post-medieval button.
Coin identified by J. Davies (NCM), 6 April 1998.

See NHER 68696 for details of poorly located finds that were recovered from either this field or the field on the opposite side of the A149. It is recorded that the finds from this site included two of the Roman coins (one from the area of Context 8 and the other from the area of Context 4) and six of the Roman brooches (two from the area of Context 8 and four from area of Context 4).
A. Rogerson (NLA), 22 July 1999. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 10 December 2024.

1998-1999. Metal-detecting.
Found at [17]:
Rather odd unidentified, undatable object.
See list in file.
Identified and compiled by A. Rogerson (NLA), 5 May 2001.

Found in south-east part of site (area of Context 4):
Late medieval/early post medieval double-looped buckle frame, both loops oval, one with an area of wear on the pin rest. Dark grey metal. Copper alloy pin, of much greener metal, survives. 29x23mm. Finder's No. no. 2.
Identified by H.M. Geake (NCM). See finder's map.
Compiled by K. Hinds (NLA).
Previously recorded under NHER 1558.

Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 11 December 2024.

2001- 2002. Metal-detecting.
Found in western part of site (Area of Context 8):
Undated copper alloy probable staple.
2 Roman coins and copper alloy stud.
?Roman possible finger ring.

Found in south-east part of site (area of Context 4):
2 Late Iron Age/Roman Dolphin brooches.
1 Roman coin, a possible brooch fragment and incomplete penannular bracelet.
Medieval buckle.
Previously recorded under NHER 1558.

Not precisely located but from this field:
2 undated lead weights.
Medieval/post-medieval copper alloy cauldron fragment.

Coins identified by A. Marsden (NLA) and other objects by A. Rogerson (NLA). See lists and finder’s map in file.
Compiled by A. Rogerson (NLA), 29 March 2003. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 11 December 2024.

May 2014-April 2015. Metal-detecting. [18].
1 Roman coin, 6 brooches and a cosmetic mortar.
Late Saxon Anglo-Scandinavian harness link.
2 medieval coins and a buckle.
1 post-medieval token and a mount.
Information from PAS import.
Previously recorded under NHER 1557.
A. Beckham (HES), 3 July 2015 and E. McDonald (HES), 11 March 2020. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 11 December 2024.

July-November 2015. Metal-detecting. [19].
2 Late Iron Age/Roman brooches.
5 Roman brooches.
2 post-medieval dress hooks.
Information from PAS import.
Previously recorded under NHER 1557.
E. McDonald (HES), 7 February 2017. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 11 December 2024.

January 2020-February 2023. Metal-detecting. [20].
Bronze Age copper alloy casting waste.
2 Middle Bronze Age to Iron Age copper alloy ring or beads.
3 Late Iron Age/Roman Colchester one-piece brooches.
4 Roman coins, 5 pottery sherds, 14 brooches and a knobbed possible harness ring.
Late Saxon Anglo-Scandinavian bridle cheek-piece or strap link.
3 Late Saxon/medieval lead spindle whorls.
Medieval buckle, annular brooch, strap end, leash swivel, copper alloy vessel leg and copper alloy unidentified object (probably a mount).
1 medieval/post-medieval jetton, 2 buckles, a purse bar fragment, 4 copper alloy vessel legs and copper alloy 'paper-clip' vessel rivet.
2 post-medieval jettons, an openwork buckle and a copper alloy bead.
Information from PAS import.
The post-medieval openwork buckle was initially identified as Late Saxon.
See finder's notes (S13).
P. Watkins (HES), 11 December 2024 to 3 May 2025.