NHER 60780 (Monument record) - Roman to post-medieval features and multi-period finds

September 2014. Geophysical Survey.
This magnetometer survey revealed a series of linear anomalies, thought to be indicative of infilled ditches, which together form a system of land division. Other discrete anomalies were thought to be of archaeological potential, perhaps indicative of settlement-related activity. It was also considered likely, given the very weak nature of some of the anomalies, that there may be more features present than were detected by the survey.
See report (S1) for further information.
A. Cattermole (HES), 2 June 2015.

September-October 2014. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
Eight small trenches were excavated, all of which were placed to target the previously identified geophysical anomalies.
Six of the trenches in the main part of the site were placed to investigate the linear geophysical anomalies that appeared to represent the remains of a single field system. All of these trenches revealed corresponding sub-surface remains, although the dating evidence recovered suggested that these features were potentially associated with more than one phase of activity. All three of the extensive north-east to south-west aligned boundaries were investigated, although only one produced any finds. This ditch was convincingly dated by a reasonably large assemblage of Roman pottery, although it should be noted that the situation was potentially complicated by the presence two intercutting Roman pits. It is however notable that a sample from this ditch produced a small amount of emmer chaff (the production of emmer having largely ceased by the end of the Roman period). The Roman pottery recovered dates to the mid-late 1st century AD. The locally-produced coarse wares present are likely to have been the product of a single kiln, with the presence of misfired sherds raising the possibility that the pottery was being produced close to the site itself.
It appears that the northernmost two perpendicular ditches were potentially associated with later activity, as both produced medieval pottery sherds. A trenches placed to investigate several discrete geophysical anomalies between these two ditches revealed three pits, two of which also produced medieval pottery sherds.
Previously unidentified features revealed in the main part of the site included a very large pit or quarry that was partially exposed in the southernmost trench. A medieval pottery sherd was recovered from the uppermost fill of this feature.
A single trench excavated in the westernmost part of the site revealed a north-to-south aligned ditch. This feature corresponds with the single linear geophysical anomaly identified in this part of the site.
See report (S2) for further details.
The archive associated with this work has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2017.271).
P. Watkins (HES), 28 October 2016. Amended 19 May 2019.

February-March 2015. Excavation.
Excavation of footprint of new structures.
This work exposed several ditches that corresponded with anomalies detected during the initial geophysical survey. A number of previously unidentified features were also exposed, including pits and a several additional north-east to south-west aligned ditches. It appears that a number of these features were Roman, although, as during the earlier work, there was evidence that at least some of the ditches were associated with later phases of activity.
Prehistoric finds were limited to a small assemblage of Early Neolithic and Late Neolithic/Bronze Age worked flints and a number of Middle Bronze Age Deverel-Rimbury pottery sherds; all of which were either unstratified or residual in later features.
Features of definite Roman date included a series of intercut north-west to south-east aligned ditches that corresponded with one of the main geophysical anomalies. It is notable that these ditches lay close to the Roman features revealed during the earlier trial trenching. A number of the small pits excavated also produced small amounts of Roman pottery sherds and it is therefore likely that at least some were associated with this phase of activity. The Roman pottery assemblage was consistent with that recovered during the earliest work, with little evidence for activity after the mid-late 1st century AD. Misfired sherds were again recovered, suggesting that small-scale domestic pottery production had taken place close to the site. Other Roman finds included a hoard of 19 silver coins that comprised 8 Roman denarii and 11 Iron Age Icenian units. This hoard was probably lost or deposited during the mid 1st century AD, around the time the site appears to have been occupied. Other Roman finds recovered included a number of brooches and two probable loomweight fragments. A possible Roman copper alloy brooch mould fragment was also found which, assuming this identification is correct, would be one of only a handful found in the country to date (all in Norfolk).
It is suggested that the main north-east to south-west ditches were also of probable Roman date, but this would appear to be unlikely. Although the assemblage of finds recovered from these features does include a small amount of Roman pottery, a number of later objects were also found, including a Late Saxon hooked tag and several medieval to post-medieval pottery sherds and ceramic building material fragments. The majority of the more recent finds were recovered from the north-westernmost of these ditches and a post-medieval date for this feature would appear to be confirmed by the fact that it clearly corresponds with a boundary marked on the Old Buckenham tithe map. Overall, the results of these two phases of work would therefore appear to suggest that the majority of the linear features are actually associated with a field system of post-Roman date, the earliest elements of which were probably medieval in origin.
Although a number of other post-Roman finds were recovered during metal-detecting these were mostly from unstratified contexts. Saxon finds included an Early Saxon wrist clasp, a Middle Saxon brooch and a Middle/Late Saxon key and dress fastener. Unstratified medieval finds included three seal matrices, a copper alloy brooch, a silver brooch, a key, a silver pendant and 15 silver coins. A range of post-medieval objects was also recovered, including pottery sherds, coins, a finger ring and a sword or dagger hilt.
Notable features of uncertain date included an un-urned cremation burial that was found to contain the remains of a young adult female. A sample taken from the charcoal-rich ashy fill of this feature suggested that wood had been the principal component of the pyre, with few other plant remains present.
See assessment report (S3) for further details. Final report awaited.
The archive associated with this work has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2017.297).
The Late Iron Age/Roman coin hoard, medieval silver brooch and silver pendant were all disclaimed as Treasure (Refs: 2015 T438, 2015 T244, and 2015 T247 respectively), and donated to Norwich Castle Museum.
P. Watkins (HES), 30 October 2016. Amended 19 May 2019. Amended by E. McDonald (HES), 15 April 2020.

June 2016. Metal-detecting.
Finds recovered to the north of excavated area and previously recorded here are now recorded under NHER 62231.
A. Beckham (HES), 3 August 2016.

October 2016-September 2017. Watching Brief.
Details awaited.
Post-medieval silver cufflink element decorated with a flaming heart pierced by two downward pointing arrows.
Information from PAS Import.
The post-medieval silver cufflink element was disclaimed as Treasure (Ref: 2016 T949), and returned to the finder.
E. McDonald (HES), 10 June 2016. Amended by E. McDonald (HES), 24 May 2021.