NHER 55314 (Monument record) - Features associated with World War Two searchlight battery and undated ditches

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Summary

A geophysical survey of this area in 2010 identified a number of magnetic anomalies that were potentially associated with a World War Two searchlight battery (NHER 34192), as well as a probable field boundary ditch. A subsequent trial trenching evaluation revealed a number of features likely to have been associated with the searchlight battery. Much of the area examined was however devoid of archaeological evidence, with three undated ditches being the only other features identified.

Protected Status/Designation

None recorded

Location

Map sheet	TG20SE
Civil Parish	PORINGLAND, SOUTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

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Full Description

October 2010. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of proposed development.
See report (S1) for details.
P. Watkins (HES), 16 April 2015.

November 2010. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometry survey of proposed development area.
A number of magnetic anomalies were detected on the site of a World War Two searchlight battery (NHER 34192).
A weak magnetic anomaly believed to be a former field boundary was also identified in the north-west corner of the site.
See report (S2) for further details.
S. Howard (HES), 13 April 2011. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 16 April 2015.

November-December 2010. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development area.
Trenches within the area of the World War Two searchlight battery (NHER 34192) revealed a number of associated features, including a pit, ditches and post-holes.
The remaining trenches were largely negative, the only exceptions being two trenches close to the northern edge which revealed several undated ditches. One of these ditches appears to correspond with the linear anomaly identified during the earlier geophysical survey.
See report (S3) for further details.
An archive associated with this work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2025.162).
S. Howard (HES), 1 March 2011. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 16 April 2015 and 24 August 2025.

Associated Sources (4)

--- SNF8804 Secondary File: Secondary File.
<S1> SNF78538 Unpublished Contractor Report: Sillwood, R. 2010. An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of Land South of Stoke Road and West of The Street, Poringland, Norfolk. NAU Archaeology. 2555.
<S2> SNF80327 Unpublished Contractor Report: Webb, A. and Harrison, D. 2010. Land South of Stoke Road, Poringland, Norfolk. Geophysical Survey. Archaeological Services WYAS. 2146.
<S3> SNF79779 Unpublished Contractor Report: Ames, J. 2011. An Archaeological Evaluation at Land South of Stoke Road and West of The Street, Poringland, Norfolk. NAU Archaeology. 2587.

Site and Feature Types and Periods (4)

Object Types (0)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Nov 4 2025 10:58AM