NHER 18567 (Monument record) - Medieval sea defence or saltern mound

10 December 1982. Large earth mound discovered. Perhaps 80m northwest to southeast with slight tongue to south. Probably 2.4m (8ft) high, but landowner states that several feet (thousands of tons) removed from top in 1980. Ovular shape but cut by Hill House so not possible to see if junction with Sea Bank, but probably a breakwater from this.
Compare to Cambridgeshire examples.
See (S1).
R. Silvester (NAU) December 1982.

5 March 1983. Mound found to continue under Hill House and emerge other side. Kidney-shaped, abutting Sea Bank.
Top about 130m northeast to southwest and another 20m or so on northeast slope. About 30m northwest to southeast including slope.
Estimated height 2.4m (8ft).
R. Silvester (NAU) March 1983.

More probably a saltern.
R. Silvester (NAU) 1985.

For full details of wares, flint types, etc. see Fenland Folders (S2).

September 2023. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with construction of new agricultural building.
These works exposed a subsoil of mid grey/brown silty sand that potentially represents material associated with this possible sea defence or saltern mound. This deposit was present across the site and clearly of some depth – its base not being encountered within the foundation pits dug (which were up to 0.9m deep). This material was overlain by localised patches of modern made ground and construction debris.
No finds were recovered.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 26 May 2024.