NHER 37504 (Monument record) - Possible field boundaries, former water channel and medieval ridge and furrow, Wicken Quarry

November 2002. Systematic Fieldwalking and Metal-detecting Survey.
Field survey undertaken ahead of proposed extension to Wicken Quarry.
Prehistoric flint flakes and a ?post-medieval lead ball recovered.
See report (S1) for further details.
The archive associated with this work has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2007.182).
J. Allen (NLA), 8 September 2003. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 May 2015 and 26 August 2018

September-October 2003. Strip Map and Sample Excavation.
Excavation of area prior to aggregate extraction. Contexts 1 to 96 used.
Two undated ditches (probably field boundaries) were revealed. In addition, a number of hollows thought to be tree boles were uncovered. Two finds were recorded: a prehistoric worked flint and a piece of ironstone, neither of which provided any dating evidence for the archaeological features. The lack of archaeological finds and features probably indicates that this area has been primarily used for arable agriculture until recent times.
See report (S2) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S3).
A. Cattermole (NLA), 16 April 2007. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 May 2015.

May-September 2005. Strip Map and Sample Excavation.
Excavation of area prior to aggregate extraction. Contexts 97 to 113 used.
Revealed three undated ditches which were probably field boundaries, and one other discrete feature considered to be of geological origin. No finds were retrieved.
As with the earlier phase, considering the proximity of the Romano-British and medieval sites the complete lack of pottery and dateable finds, even of medieval or post medieval date, suggests this area has not been occupied or used for arable agriculture until recent times.
See report (S4) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S5) and (S6).
J. Allen (NLA), 7 March 2006. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 20 May 2015.

An archive that presumably includes material from both phases of excavation at this site has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2007.181).
P. Watkins (HES), 26 August 2019.

September 2007. ALSF NHER Enhancement Sub-Unit D.
The RSKENSR fieldwalking, metal detecting and geophysical survey carried out along the line of the proposed National Grid Transco Wicken Quarry Pipeline Diversion is now recorded under NHER 41126.
M. Dennis (NLA), 27 September 2007.