NHER 2737 (Monument record) - Bronze Age lake dwelling, well and small finds

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Summary

In 1851 a Bronze Age lake dwelling was found in West Mere during temporary draining. This dwelling took the form of a circular mound of hard sand connected by a wall of flint and marl with a circular hole. This hole was wattled with alder wood and may have been a well. A number of animal bones were found in the area along with numerous polished flint discs. In addition a wooden ladder was found near to the dwelling.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TL89SE
Civil Parish WRETHAM, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Map

1851. West Mere. Found during temporary draining.
Lake dwelling.
Water level 30.6m (100.22ft) (in 1853).

In centre of mere was found under black mud a circular mound (6.1-9.2m (20-30ft) diameter) of hard (fine) white sand (1.2m (4ft) high), the top being 0.6m (2ft) below level of mere. It was connected by wall of flint and marl (0.6m (2ft) high and 1.8m (6ft) long) with circular hole 1.8m (6ft) deep, 1.4m (4.5ft) diameter staked and wattled round with alder wood (piles 10.2cm (4in) diam) (possibly a well). At bottom of mud 2.4m (8ft) down on other side of wall were bones of goat (skull), pig, ox (skulls and horn cores (Bos longifrons)), red deer (antlers). All skulls (except one) were fractured with hole in forehead. Polished bone, many flint discs. Ladder (38.1cm (15in) wide - rungs 38.1cm (15in) apart). Hard floor like a barn floor with masonry.
R. R. Clarke (NCM).

See also file under NHER 9001.
Referencess in file.

  • --- Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
  • --- Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Bronze Age. Wretham (West).
  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • --- Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TL 89 SE 5.
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • <S1> Article in Serial: Bunbury, C.O.F.. 1856. Notice of some appearances observed on draining a mere, near Wretham.. O.J.G.S. Vol XII, p 335.
  • <S2> Article in Serial: Newton, A.. 31 March 186. On the Zoology of Ancient Europe.. Paper to Cambridge Phil. Soc..
  • <S3> Article in Serial: Natural Science. 1892. Natural Science. Natural Science. Vol I, p 40.
  • ANIMAL REMAINS (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
  • ANIMAL REMAINS (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
  • DISC (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
  • LADDER (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
  • LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Sep 30 2025 8:07AM

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