NHER 41949 (Monument record) - Prehistoric and possible Roman features and multi-period finds, Bittering Quarry Extension

May 2005. Desk-based Assessment.
Cultural Heritage Assessment of proposed aggregate extraction area.
See reports (S1) and (S2) for details.
J. Allen (NLA), 17 November 2005. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 15 July 2015.

September-December 2005. Evaluation.
Archaeological evaluation comprising aerial photograph assessment, systematic fieldwalking and metal-detecting survey, geophysical survey and trial trenching. Contexts 1-83.
Prior to the start of this work a number of cropmark features had been identified in the vicinity of this site including a probable ring-ditch (NHER 11697). The presence of a large (double ditched?) square enclosure and linear and curvilinear features were also noted. These features (which are now recorded separately under NHER 49691 and NHER 49692) were rectified as part of the evaluation and were subsequently subject to NMP mapping and analysis.
The geophysical survey identified a number of discrete individual pit-like anomalies across the whole survey area, possibly indicating the remains of pits. A number of diffuse linear anomalies were also recorded although these probably represented the magnetic response from cultivation scores (ploughmarks). In the area of NHER 11697, however, a series of diffuse linear anomalies were detected in the area of the known cropmarks. These were believed to represent probable ditch-like features, a number of which appeared to correlate with the aerial photographic evidence.
All parts of the proposed development area were subject to fieldwalking. This work recovered a large quantity of burnt flint (almost 7kg) and 35 worked flints. A notable proportion of the worked flint comprised blades and blade-like flakes of potentially Mesolithic or Early Neolithic date. Four blade cores may also be of this date. As with the excavated flints the remainder of the assemblage is likely to be of a much later date, including thick, broad, often cortical flakes and a core or core tool made on a fragment of tabular flint. A sherd of Roman pottery and 12 sherds of post-medieval/modern pottery were also recovered, along with small amounts of animal bone, post-medieval brick and tile and bottle glass. Metal detecting identified only post medieval/modern finds, including coins, buttons, horse fittings and nails.
Trial trenching took place in two of the three fields (the north-western field containing the cropmarks being excluded), with this work demonstrating the presence of limited but potentially significant archaeological remains. A number of prehistoric pits were identified in the southern part of the site, including one which contained an assemblage of earlier Neolithic pottery and two which contain later, Beaker pottery. Significantly a fairly sizable assemblage of Beaker pottery was also recovered from the fills of a linear features. A small quantity of fired clay was also found including a possible loomweight fragment and pieces with wattle impressions. All stratified pieces were recovered from Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age contexts. The site also produced 164 worked flints and over 5000 fragments of burnt flint, the majority recovered from the prehistoric features. A small number of worked pieces bore evidence of techniques that are characteristic of Mesolithic or Early Neolithic assemblages, including blades, narrow flakes, a serrated blade and a retouched blade. The remaining material was characterised by broad, thick, much more irregular flakes and is likely to be of later prehistoric date, perhaps Bronze Age. These later pieces included flake cores and several possible scrapers. Small amounts of Iron Age and Roman pottery were also recovered, suggesting at least a degree of activity during these periods.
A number of relatively sterile, undatable features were also identified, including an area of pits in the central/northern part of the site. These features are potentially prehistoric, although a small number of the pits in this area appeared to be of post-medieval or modern date. Several ditch-type linear features were also identified in the eastern/central part of the site that presumably represent some form of boundary/enclosure system. The lack of finds suggests these features was removed from any areas of contemporary occupation. One trench also exposed a large modern ditch, which appeared to have a similar alignment to one of the major linear cropmark features that have been identified in the field to the north (NHER 49692). Other areas were largely devoid of archaeological remains.
See report (S3) and revised Cultural Heritage Assessment (S4) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S5).
J. Allen (NLA), 15 February 2007. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 5 August 2013.

August 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site at northern end of north field.
The ten trenches excavated revealed little in the way of significant remains, with only a single east-to-west aligned ditch recorded. This produced no finds but the nature of its fill suggested it was most likely of relatively recent date. A number of other features were deemed to be of natural origin following investigation.
No finds were recovered.
See report (S6) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 3 April 2023.

August 2021. Watching Brief.
Maintained during excavation of 10 geotechnical test pits within northern field.
These revealed no archaeologically-significant features or deposits. It should though be noted that these were deliberately placed to avoid known remains.
A subsoil deposit was only observed in a single test pit close to the western edge of the field (where its considerable depth suggested it represented the infill of some form of natural feature).
No finds were recovered.
See report (S6) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 3 April 2023.

An archive comprising material from both phases of fieldwork undertaken in August 2021 has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2021.133).
P. Watkins (HES), 3 April 2023.

September 2023. Watching Brief.
Maintained during creation of new quarry haul road in northern part of site.
Although natural geological deposits were exposed no archaeologically-significant remains were observed. No finds were recovered.
Information from draft report.
P. Watkins (HES), 21 April 2024.