NHER 66438 (Monument record) - Undated ditches

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Summary

Archaeological work at this site between 2021 and 2022 recorded several ditches of uncertain date. These included a feature at the eastern end of the site that was identified by an initial geophysical survey. Subsequent trial trenching revealed a corresponding ditch but unfortunately no finds were recovered (although its alignment suggests it was most likely of medieval to post-medieval date). Two other ditches were identified during this second phase of work, one of which produced a single sherd of Roman pottery.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TF60SW
Civil Parish WIMBOTSHAM, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Map

March-April 2021. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of Anglian Water Grantham to Bexwell pipeline (Area 212).
This survey identified two adjacent, parallel west-north-west to east-south-east linear anomalies at the eastern end of the site which potentially represent the remains of a ditched trackway (and may continue into the adjacent field to the east - see NHER 66439). The alignment of these possible features is similar to that of a number of former field boundaries depicted in the vicinity on the Wimbotsham Tithe map of 1840 (S1). A roughly north-to-south aligned linear anomaly to the west appears to correspond with another of the former field boundaries depicted on this map.
The majority of the other anomalies recorded are thought to be the result of either agricultural activity or natural variations in the underlying soils or geology. The only notable exceptions were a small number of short linear anomalies of varying alignments at the eastern end of the site, which are recorded as being of undetermined origin.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 17 November 2022.

November 2021-March 2022. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on route of Anglian Water Grantham to Bexwell pipeline (Area 12; Trenches 55-61).
The seven trenches excavated at this site revealed only three ditches. These included a west-north-west to east-south-east feature at the eastern end of the site that coincided with the most notable geophysical anomalies. Unfortunate this produced no dating evidence. The other ditches were a pair of adjacent north-to-south aligned features exposed in the westernmost trench, one of which contained a single Roman pottery sherd (the only find recovered at this site).
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 17 November 2022.

  • <S1> Map: Wiggins, John.. 1840. Wimbotsham tithe map..
  • POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Nov 17 2022 2:36PM

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