NHER 38137 (Find Spot record) - Prehistoric flint, Saxon to medieval pottery, and post medieval clay pipe, Redcastle Furze Ballpark

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Summary

Archaeological observations and excavations were carried out at this site during 2003. This work failed to record any features of archaeological interest and a small quantity of unstratified finds. The finds included a Prehistoric burnt flint, Saxon and medieval pottery, and post medieval clay smoking pipe fragments.

Protected Status/Designation

Scheduled Monument 1003936: Site of Saxon Town, Including Site of St. John's Churchyard (formerly monument no. 288) on Playing Fields, Thetford

Location

Map sheet	TL88SE
Civil Parish	THETFORD, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

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Full Description

January-February 2003. Strip Map and Sample Excavation and Watching Brief.
Excavation of a small area and monitoring of various groundworks for development of the playing field recorded no features of archaeological interest and a very small quantity of unstratified finds. The finds included one sherd of Early Saxon pottery, several sherds of Thetford or early medieval ware, and one burnt flint.
See report (S1) for further details.
Material associated with this work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2025.245).
M. Horlock (NLA) 19 March 2003. Updated by H. Hamilton (NLA), 29 July 2008 and P. Watkins (HES), 12 October 2025.

June 2003. Excavation.
Hand excavation of additional sondage.
Two fragments of post-medieval smoking pipes were recovered from an additional small sondage for the installation of a basketball post. No archaeological features were identified.
See report (S2) for further details.
A. Cattermole (NLA) 1 March 2005.

Associated Sources (3)

--- SNF8804 Secondary File: Secondary File.
<S1> SNF52040 Unpublished Contractor Report: Birks, C. 2003. An Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief at Redcastle Furze Playing Field, Thetford. Norfolk Archaeological Unit. 807.
<S2> SNF70484 Unpublished Contractor Report: Birks, C. 2003. Addendum to Report on a 'Strip and Record' Archaeological Excavation and Watching Brief at Redcastle Furze Playing Field, Thetford. Norfolk Archaeological Unit. 807 (addendum).

Site and Feature Types and Periods (5)

Object Types (5)

BURNT FLINT (Prehistoric - 1000000 BC to 42 AD)
POT (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
POT (Late Saxon to Medieval - 851 AD to 1199 AD)
POT (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1299 AD)
PIPE (SMOKING) (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)

Related NHER Records (1)

Geographical: NHER 5756 - Part of: Prehistoric pits, Iron Age settlement, Saxon town area, and medieval industrial activity (Monument)

Find out more...(5)

Record last edited

Oct 12 2025 9:55PM