NHER 67886 (Monument record) - Post-medieval and undated remains

January 2016. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of proposed development site.
The survey of the main area (Field 1) revealed nothing of definite archaeological significance. The most notable response is a curvilinear anomaly at the western edge of the site that potentially represents a ring ditch (the full diameter of which would be approximately 23m). Smaller curvilinear anomalies to the east could also represent ring-ditches, although their irregular nature suggests a geological origin is more likely. This same is true for a series of short, irregular linear anomalies at the eastern end of the field. A pair of adjacent, straighter, north-east to south-west aligned linear anomalies may also represent archaeologically-significant remains, although this suggestion is similarly tentative. A number of scattered discrete ferrous anomalies were probably caused by material on or close to the surface (most likely modern debris).
A small area examined adjacent to Common Lane (Field 2) was entirely dominated by magnetic disturbance, which potentially obscured any archaeologically-significant anomalies.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 2 January 2023.

June 2016. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development area comprising north-west portion of site.
A total of eight trenches were excavated, two of which targeted the large possible ring-ditch recorded by the preceding geophysical survey at the western edge of the site. Although corresponding features were identified in both trenches these proved to be flat-based depressions with poorly-defined shallow sides. A third feature of a similar nature was also identified in this part of the site. The date and nature of these pits or hollows is uncertain as finds were limited to small quantities of animal bone and oyster shell.
The only other remains of note were two narrow ditches; a north-north-east to south-south-west aligned feature at the eastern end of the site and a north-to-south aligned feature at the western edge. The former contained several fragments of presumably residual Roman ceramic building along with pieces of post-medieval brick and tile. No dating evidence was recovered from the other ditch but this was most likely also post-medieval.
Unstratified finds were limited to a single Roman tile fragment.
See report (S2) for further details.
An archive associated with this work has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2017.349).
P. Watkins (HES), 2 January 2023.