NHER 41123 (Monument record) - Roman ditch, medieval pits and ditches, medieval objects

February 2005. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site. Contexts 1-111.
A single flint tool was retrieved during the evaluation indicating prehistoric activity in the vicinity of the site.
Whilst trial trenching revealed only a single early Roman ditch, it may be a continuation of the field system known to exist to the south. A single tessera was found.
A medieval ditch was identified in addition to two medieval pits, which were probably used in quarrying the iron-rich natural sand. Further medieval artefacts also indicate an intensification of activity at the site in this period, with most of the medieval pottery dating to around the 13th century.
Eight further pits were of similar character to the medieval quarry pits, although these remain undated.
A small number of undated linear features are of unknown function, but may represent drainage or enclosures.
Ploughmarks visible in three of the trenches indicate agricultural use of the site, probably in the late medieval or post medieval periods.
The undated complete skeleton of a pig and another partial pig skeleton with at least four pig foetuses, of the 19th century, probably indicate the disposal of diseased animals.
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 : 2007.184).
J. Allen (NLA), 15 May 2007. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 5 May 2019.