NHER 34702 (Monument record) - Iron Age settlement, medieval corn-drying oven and field boundaries

1999. Fieldwalking Survey, Excavation and Watching Brief.
Archaeological work undertaken during groundworks associated with the construction of a replacement pipeline between Kelling and Sheringham. Contexts 100 to 310.
Particularly intensive work was undertaken at [1], close to where a possible Bronze Age cremation had been discovered in 1963 (NHER 6263). The limits of this site were refined by an initial fieldwalking survey, which recovered prehistoric worked flints, burnt flints and Iron Age and medieval pottery. Two adjacent areas were subsequently excavated, revealing a range of features. The earliest remains appeared to be two pits of possible Bronze Age date. A number of Iron Age ditches, post-holes and pits were also present, these thought to represent the edge of a larger settlement that may extend further northwards. A medieval corn drying oven and several field boundaries were also identified.
Monitoring of topsoil stripping between the Kelling and Muckleburgh Hill failed to identify an archaeologically significant features, with natural deposits not exposed along much of this section of the easement.
Monitoring of topsoil stripping between Muckleburgh Hill and Sheringham had similarly negative results. The NAU was however subsequently contacted by site contractors during February 2000 when archaeological remains were identified during pipelaying at [2]. Several features were subsequently recorded, including a pit and a ?ditch that both produced Iron Age pottery sherds.
See report (S1) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S2).
The associated archive has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2018.177).
See NHER 34702 for details of work undertaken at the new Beach Lane Pumping Station.
D. Gurney (NLA), 3 January 2001. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 April 2015 and 26 April 2019.

February-March 2017. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on possible route of Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm onshore cable (GS01). This site was one of 26 identified as a priority for examination due to their archaeological potential.
The survey identified a series of positive linear and rectilinear anomalies in the southern part of the site, the majority of which correspond with previously identified cropmarks thought to represent a possible Roman enclosure and field system (NHER 38342).
Several other, more regular linear anomalies correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Weybourne tithe map (S3). A discrete area of strong magnetic disturbance in the south-east part of the site coincides with a pond or water-filled pit shown on the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch map (S4).
Amorphous areas of enhanced magnetic response across much of the site are almost certainly natural in origin.
There was no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with a cropmark ring-ditch recorded at TG 1167 4322 (NHER 38341).
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 19 February 2025.

May 2018. Desk-based Assessment.
Environmental Impact Assessment of the potential impacts of the proposed Hornsea Project Three offshore wind farm on the historic environment. This study incorporated the results of an initial walkover survey and the first phases of geophysical survey.
See relevant chapter of Environmental Statement and associated appendices for further detail (S3).
P. Watkins (HES), 19 February 2025.