NHER 64435 (Monument) - Middle Saxon possible fish trap

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Summary

A watching brief maintained during the excavation of a new dyke at this location in between 2013 and 2015 identified the fragmentary remains of some form of wooden structure. One of the wood fragments was radiocarbon dated to the Middle Saxon period, demonstrating that the structure was of a similar date to two probable fish traps identified elsewhere in this area during Broadland Flood Alleviation Project works (the ages of which were also established by radiocarbon dating).

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TG30SE
Civil Parish HECKINGHAM, SOUTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Map

May 2013-August 2015. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of excavation of new dyke as part of Broadland Flood Alleviation Project.
At this location one of the machine drivers noted small fragments of waterlogged wood at the base of the dyke. The in situ remains were found to be poorly preserved but it was possible to retrieve some of the wood fragments from the excavated spoil. Samples submitted for analysis all proved to be winter-felled hazel with either 11 or 12 growth rings. Radiocarbon dating of one of these wood samples returned a date of Cal AD 640 to 680 at 95% probability (Beta-451568 1360 +/- 30 BP). It is thought that the wood exposed at this site was probably the remains of fish trap, similar in form and date to two such structures that were discovered elsewhere during the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project - both of which were also radiocarbon dated to the Middle Saxon period.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 29 August 2020.

  • <S1> Unpublished Contractor Report: Wallis, H. 2017. Pye’s Mill, Loddon to Nogdam End Compartment 22, Broadland Flood Alleviation Project. Monitoring of Works under Archaeological Supervision and Control. Heather Wallis. 219.

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Record last edited

Aug 29 2020 9:34PM

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