NHER 66827 (Monument record) - Undated possible pits and ditches

July 2017. Desk-based Assessment.
Heritage appraisal for proposed extension to Pentney Quarry.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 13 March 2023.

January 2019. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer and electrical conductivities surveys of site of proposed extension to Pentney Quarry.
These surveys suggested that there may be a southwards transition from dry to wet land and likely deep peat deposits.
No anomalies of definite archaeological significance were identified, although it is possible that a number of weakly magnetic spreads might mark the position of burnt mounds. The majority of the anomalies recorded were likely to be of natural origin or the result of recent agricultural activity.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 13 March 2023.

February 2019. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site of proposed extension to Pentney Quarry.
The 37 trenches revealed little in the way of archaeologically-significant remains, with only a small number of linear features and several possible pits identified, all of which were undated. The possible ditches and gullies recorded displayed a variety of alignments and were of uncertain nature, particularly as none appeared to continue into adjacent trenches. The majority of the discrete features investigated were deemed to be periglacial or otherwise natural in origin. Samples taken from three of the excavated features produced only small amounts of charcoal.
The weak magnetic spreads identified by the preceding geophysical survey were found to coincide with areas where the natural geological had a higher iron content. No peat deposits were encountered.
No finds were recovered during this work.
Information from report uploaded to OASIS. HER copy awaited.
An archive associated with this work has been deposited with Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2019.121).
P. Watkins (HES), 14 March 2023. Amended 20 July 2024.