NHER 19693 (Monument record) - Possible medieval saltern mound

18 November 1983. Large mound of earth extending from Sea Bank and covered by farm buildings of Rose Hall.
For most part mound can be quite clearly defined despite overlying buildings. However, owner informed R. Silvester (NAU), that when he was young there was another separate mound to north which was levelled by his father. If it can
be assumed that this was not originally separate but an integral part of the same mound this would make the breakwater the same shape as those at West Walton, ie. kidney on a stem. In all cases stems difficult to detect owing to overlying buildings. Conceivable but highly unlikely in each case that breakwater originally was detached from bank, and area between the two made up when farms built on them. At least 100m north to south x 110m east to west x 1.83m high. WPP 19 (S1).
For full details of wares, flint types etc see Fenland Folders (S2).
R. Silvester (NAU), 18 November 1983.

1985.
This is more probably a saltern.
R. Silvester (NAU).

July 2023. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site at Rose Hall Farm.
A single trench coincided with the northern margin of this possible saltern mound.
A test pit demonstrated that the mound consisted of a sequence of silty sand deposits, with the base of the earliest not reached. No debris from salt production was encountered and no finds were recovered. The uppermost of these deposits was partially overlain by a greyish brown clayey silt layer that also sealed the possible saltern mound to the north (NHER 19694) and a palaeochannel identified by a preceding geophysical survey.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 26 May 2024.