NHER 50513 (Monument record) - Undated ditch and pits and multi-period finds from Acle High School excavations

16-18 July 2007. Test Pitting.
Test pitting and investigations by students from Acle High School.
Three areas opened at the north end of the field. At least one ditch and a few possible pits, not securely dated. Finds seen on site (unwashed) and subsequently reported upon by NAU Archaeology (S1) include one Early Bronze Age barbed and tanged flint arrowhead and a few flakes, moderate quantities of Roman pottery including fine and micaceous grey wares, grey base (roundel) with incised cross and other marks, Nene Valley Colour-Coated Wares, bead and flanged bowl and possible late Roman shelly (Dales Ware) jar, Roman tile fragments, one sherd Middle Saxon Ipswich Ware, medieval and post-medieval sherds, glass, brick/tile and assorted metalwork.
Animal (horse) skull.
See press cutting (S1) and NAU Archaeology list of finds in file.
D.A. Gurney (NLA) 27 July 2007.

June 2008. Geophysical Survey.
A number of anomalies were detected on high ground to the north of the survey site. These included a chain of strong anomalies aligned approximately north-east south-west which are potentially archaeological in nature and may be interpreted as pits or ditches containing burnt material. A number of weak anomalies on the northwest survey area were interpreted as uncertain soil-filled hollows, or geological features. Further weak anomalies crossing the survey area were interpreted as soil-filled ditches or possible land drains.
See report (S3) for further details.
H. White (NLA) 3 December 2008.

July 2008. Test Pitting.
Further test pitting across most of the field has recorded a large number of possible features, including a fired clay hearth or kiln (partially exposed within a test pit). Finds include a fragment of a kiln bar and a sherd from a grey mortarium.
D. Gurney (NLA) 17 July 2008.

June-September 2009 and 2010. Excavation.
During this phase of the excavation, larger trenches were opened, targeted at features identified the previous year (Areas 1-3). Features examined included a pair of intercutting ditches, the hearth and a substantial shallow pit or hollow, two quadrants of which have produced around 5000 sherds of pottery, animal bone, oyster shell and ceramic building material. The contents of the pit appear to have been derived from the clearance of the site in the 4th century.
Report awaited.
Information from brief summaries in (S4) and (S5).
D. Holburn (HES), 13 September 2011.

January-February 2010. Metal detecting.
Romano-British pot sherd of late 1st-4th century date.
See description in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA), 26 March 2010.

2011-2012. Excavation.
Further work undertaken by Acle High School and NPS Archaeology, funded by another successful HLF bid (Areas 4 and 5).
This work saw the investigation of further geophysical anomalies, revealing a complex sequence of intercutting pits, ditches and post-holes. These features appear to have represented several distinct phases of activity. A medieval ditch was also recorded.
Details awaited.
Information from brief summary in (S5).
P. Watkins (HES), 23 March 2017.

August-September 2011. Metal-detecting.
3 Roman coins and post-medieval jetton from spoil heap.
See lists in file.
A. Marsden (HES), 27 September 2011.

October-November 2012. Metal-detecting. [1].
3 Roman coins.
Information from PAS import.
A. Beckham (HES), 3 January 2013.

November-December 2012. Metal-detecting. [2].
1 Roman coin.
Information from PAS import.
A. Beckham (HES), 3 January 2013.

6 February 2013. Metal-detecting. [3].
1 Roman coin.
Information from PAS import.
A. Beckham (HES), 12 March 2013.

February-March 2013. Metal-detecting. [4].
Neolithic/Bronze Age flint scraper.
1 Roman coin.
Information from PAS import.
A. Beckham (HES), 4 April 2013.

December 2012. Trial Trenching.
Excavation of three trenches to help determine the extent and significance of the archaeological remains, ahead of the proposed redevelopment of the site.
Details awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 February 2017.

2016. Strip Map and Sample Excavation.
Details awaited.
The archive associated with this work has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2017.342).
P. Watkins (HES), 16 February 2017.