NHER 64575 (Monument record) - World War Two anti-tank ditch and undated possible ditches and pits

July 2014. Desk-based Assessment.
Assessment of proposed development area.
It is concluded that the known archaeology of the area and the topographic location of the site mean there is a moderate to high potential for archaeological remains associated with activity during multiple periods.
No features of interest were observed during a brief site visit.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 29 January 2021.

March-May 2015. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of Royal Norwich Golf Club undertaken ahead of its proposed redevelopment.
A broad, discontinuous linear band of magnetic disturbance in the western part the site at TG 2008 1127 clearly corresponds with the recorded location of a World War Two anti-tank ditch visible on aerial photographs (NHER 51893). Another section of this extensive feature was identified to the east of Drayton High Road (see NHER 64574).
Although numerous other anomalies were detected none were of clear archaeological significance. Those that were potentially of interest included several linear anomalies in the westernmost part of the site that may represent ditches and scattered discrete positive anomalies that may be pits. It is though possible that any number of these could actual be of natural origin, particularly as numerous other positive anomalies are seen as representing variations in the underlying geology.
The various other responses included groups of parallel north-west to south-east aligned linear anomalies likely to represent agricultural furrows and/or land drains, and discrete anomalies associated with backfilled golf course earthworks. Numerous isolated dipolar responses are likely to have been caused by ferrous debris in the topsoil.
See report (S2) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 29 January 2021.

May 2015. Walkover Survey.
Detailed walkover survey of Royal Norwich Golf Club undertaken in order to support and enhance the findings of an earlier desk-based assessment (see above). The focus of this survey was an assessment of the likely impact of various factors on the likely preservation of archaeological. These included the natural topography, post-medieval agriculture and quarrying, the development of the golf course and military activity during World War Two.
Overall the survey confirmed the original conclusion that archaeological remains can be expected to be in a relatively good state of preservation, will only small areas likely to have seen significant disturbance.
See report (S3) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 29 January 2021.