NHER 26625 (Monument) - Probable Roman saltern mound

August 2002. Norfolk NMP.
The anomaly (centre: TF 6591 3198) appears to be an elongated, sub-rounded mound with a north to south length of 285m and a width of 110m (S1 and S2). There is a darker line around the eastern side of the feature that may represent a ditch or the former course of a channel. The centre is lighter coloured and has a parched appearance, with darker, irregular shaped features within the centre and within the northern end. These may represent the sites of filtration units or evaporation pans.
The site probably represents the site of a salt industry, and was formed by the mounding up of waste silt or sand after salt extraction. The large extent of the feature would suggest that the site was in use over a considerable length of time, possibly used by numerous operators. A site further to the south (NHER 16499) has produced Roman period material and it seems likely that this site also dates from the Roman period, contemporary with the dense settlement within the Ingol valley. The sites may equally be post Roman or medieval in date, although a Roman date seems most probable. There is a similar site to the immediate north (NHER 26624).
M. Brennand (NMP), 15 August 2002.