NHER 62730 (Monument record) - Prehistoric ring-ditch and post-medieval and undated features

December 2007-January 2008. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of proposed development site.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 2 May 2018.

January 2013. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development area.
This survey, which saw the whole of this field examined, identified little in the way of archaeologically significant anomalies. The one notable exception was a circular ditched feature in the south-western corner of the field (c. TG 5087 0246) that corresponds with a previously identified cropmark feature (NHER 12779) and probably represents the remains of a ring-ditch associated with a prehistoric round barrow. This well-defined feature is 26m in diameter, apparently continuous and contains two internal pit-like anomalies.
An east-north-east to west-south-west aligned linear anomaly in the southern part of the field is likely to represent a ditch of relatively recent date, corresponding with a boundary shown on the late 19th-century 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map.
The survey identified little evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with the various fragmentary linear cropmark features that have been mapped in this field (recorded under NHERs 45052, 45055, 45056 and 45057). There was also no evidence for features associated with the extensive east-to-west aligned cropmarks that cross the southern part of the field (NHER 43593).
Various discrete magnetic ‘spikes’ probably indicate the presence of ferrous debris and a north-east to south-west aligned band of magnetic disturbance in the northernmost part of the field probably represents an underground service.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 2 May 2018.

August 2013. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of large proposed development area.
See report (S3) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 2 January 2019.

July 2014. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed route of A12-A143 Link road (Trenches 13-16).
An undated possible ditch terminus was the only archaeologically significant feature recorded in the four trenches excavated in this field.
No unstratified finds were recovered.
See report (S4) for further details.
An archive that probably includes material from this phase of work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2016.248).
P. Watkins (HES), 9 May 2018.

March 2020. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development area at eastern end of site (Phase 5; Trenches 22-43).
The 22 trenches excavated at this location revealed only a number of scattered ditches and a possible pit. The majority of these features produced no finds, the one exception being a north-west to south-east aligned possible ditch terminus that contained a sherd of Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age Beaker pottery (which was most likely residual). The one datable feature was a north-to-south aligned ditch that clearly coincided with a former field boundary depicted on the Bradwell tithe map of 1842 (S5).
A number of the trenches also revealed discrete features that proved to be either undated probable tree hollows or geological in origin.
There was no evidence for surviving sub-surface remains associated with a pair of parallel north-east to south-west aligned cropmarks that fell within the area examined (part of a much larger group of potentially later prehistoric remains recorded as NHER 45055).
Unstratified finds recovered during the excavation of these trenches include a single medieval pottery sherd; medieval and post-medieval coins (including a pieced and clipped silver penny of Charles I); post-medieval tokens and a range of other, Early Saxon and post-medieval to modern metal objects. These metal finds include an Early Saxon wrist clasp and buckle plate; a possible Early Saxon disc brooch; a ?Early Saxon domed mount and lead spindle whorl; post-medieval buttons, buckles, key bit, coin weight, lead weights, lead cloth seal and lead shot; a post-medieval/modern silver mount and decorative escutcheon and fragments of undatable lead and copper alloy waste.
See report (S6) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 9 February 2023.