NHER 64679 (Monument record) - Undated ditches and other remains

May 2013. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site of proposed solar farm.
This survey identified a range of mostly short, fragmentary linear anomalies, the majority of which appear to represent surviving sub-surface remains associated with three separately recorded groups of cropmarks (NHERs 12828, 12996 and 27599).
A number of anomalies identified towards the western edge of the site appear to correspond with cropmarks believed to represent a coaxial field system of unknown but potentially prehistoric date (NHER 12996). These include a curvilinear anomaly and an adjacent pair of short, parallel, north-west to south-east aligned linear anomalies in the northwest corner of the site at TG 4988 1369 and a cluster of north-west to south-east and north-east to south-west aligned anomalies in the south-west part of the field. A short north-west to south-east linear anomaly at TG 5028 1334 that appears to coincide with a much more extensive, similarly-aligned cropmark is actually recorded as a buried pipe (associated with an adjacent water hydrant).
A band of mostly north-west to south-east and north-east to south-east aligned linear anomalies identified along the northern edge of the field appears to represent remains associated with a particularly extensive, multi-period group of cropmarks (NHER 12828). There was however no evidence for surviving features associated with the numerous cropmarks in this group mapped in the central and eastern parts of the field. This is inconsistent with the results of an excavation that took place in this field in 1999 (on the route of the Bacton to Great Yarmouth Gas Pipeline), which revealed a range of linear features (see NHER 12828).
Parallel east-north-east to west-south-west aligned linear anomalies identified in the north-western part of the field correspond with a group of cropmarks thought to represent post-medieval boundaries (NHER 27599). A perpendicular anomaly to the east presumably represents an associated feature, although it is not associated with a mapped cropmark. A rectangular discrete anomaly at TG 5000 1359 clearly corresponds with the probable pit mapped at this location (also recorded under NHER 27599).
A single east-north-east to west-south-east aligned, magnetically-depleted linear anomaly recorded in the south-western part of the field at TG 5032 1332 is potentially associated with a similarly-aligned group of cropmarks believed to represent a post-medieval trackway or road (NHER 27575).
A pair of extensive north-north-west to south-south-west aligned linear anomalies and a single perpendicular anomaly represent late post-medieval boundaries, clearly corresponding with former field boundaries depicted on the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch map (S1).
Other anomalies of greater archaeological significance that don’t correspond with mapped cropmarks include a possible ring-ditch in the south west corner of the field at TG 5021 1328, and a possible curvilinear ditch and adjacent small possible sub-rectangular enclosure close to the northern edge of the site at TG 5017 1364. Another, much more magnetically-distinct rectilinear enclosure was identified approximately 130m to the east, at TG 5032 1365.
Numerous discrete anomalies were also recorded, although it is unclear exactly how many are likely to represent archaeologically-significant features such as pits. It is likely that at least some either represent natural features (such as tree throw hollows) or are of geological origin.
A large patch of predominantly stronger magnetic variation recorded to the north-east of Nova Scotia Cottages may represent an area of former quarrying. A number of the larger discrete anomalies identified elsewhere in the field also potentially represent former quarry pits.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 19, March 2021.

November 2013-February 2014. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with installation of solar farm.
No archaeologically-significant features were recorded in the various narrow cable trenches excavated. Little can be concluded from this though as it is noted that the narrowness of the cable trenches and poor ground conditions following heavy rain limited the potential for identifying archaeological remains. It was though clear that a reasonably thick subsoil deposit survived across much of the site.
Three ditches were though recorded in two of the discrete, sub-square trenches excavated for the foundations of electrical installations (at TG 5045 1338 and TG 5056 1332). At least one of these features was potentially associated with one of the cropmarks recorded under NHER 12828, but unfortunately no dating evidence was recovered.
See report (S2) for further details.
The archive associated with this work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2019.241).
P. Watkins (HES), 19 March 2021.