NHER 49744 (Monument record) - Potentially Early Saxon pits, post-medieval and undated ditches and medieval finds

2004-2005. Desk-based Assessment.
Archaeological assessment of western route options for Norwich Northern Distributor Road.
See reports (S1) and (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 7 July 2019.

March 2010. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed line of Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Site HF1).
Eight trenches were excavated, only two of which revealed archaeologically significant remains. These features included two pits found in close proximity that both produced single sherds of Early Saxon pottery and a number of burnt flints. A sample from one of these pits produced a range of charred material indicative of midden material.
Two ditches were also identified, although neither produced any datable finds.
A single medieval silver coin was recovered from an unstratified deposit.
See report (S3) for further details. The results of this work are also summarised in (S4).
P. Watkins (HES), 30 July 2015.

January 2020. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of proposed development site to north of Norwich Northern Distributor Road.
This study concluded the site had some potential to contain remains of local or regional significant but that these were unlikely to preclude or constrain development.
See report (S5) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 5 August 2023.

August 2020. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of route of proposed new access road and associated balance ponds at northern edge of site (Trenches 1-6).
The six trenches excavated revealed four ditches and a probable natural feature. A west-north-west to east-south-east aligned ditch at the western end of the area examined and a north-to-south aligned ditch at the eastern end both correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Horsham St Faith and Newton St Faith tithe map of 1841 (S6). A stoneware bottle of probable 19th-century date was recovered from the latter. Two additional north-to-south aligned ditches were recorded in the westernmost trenches but for some reason neither was excavated.
See report (S7) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 6 August 2023.

August 2020. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of land between Norwich Northern Distributor Road (Broadland Northway) and areas trenches in August 2020 (see above).
Although several linear anomalies were recorded these are all thought to be the result of recent agricultural activity. The various discrete anomalies identified are deemed to be of natural origin and a number of scattered dipolar anomalies were probably caused by ferrous material on or close to the surface (most likely modern debris).
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 5 August 2023.

January 2025. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site to south of Morse Road (Broadway Enterprise Park Plot 32a).
The four trenches excavated revealed no archaeologically-significant remains, with only a backfilled trench encountered.
No finds were recovered.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 27 March 2025.