NHER 65955 (Monument record) - Probable Early Bronze Age round barrow and other prehistoric and undated remains

May 2020-January 2021. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Area F210).
This survey identified a circular anomaly at TG 0889 2349 likely to represent a ring-ditch associated with a prehistoric round barrow. This ring-ditch is c.30m in diameter and possibly has a gap or entrance in its western side, although this is uncertain as the whole western half of the anomaly is fairly indistinct. The only other response of note is a much smaller circular anomaly with a diameter of c.14m. This may represent another ring-ditch, although it is much more irregular than the larger anomaly.
A north-west to south-east aligned linear anomaly at the southern end of the site corresponds with a former field boundary depicted on the Reepham tithe map (S1).
A number of scattered discrete dipolar anomalies are likely to represent ferrous objects on or close to the surface (most likely modern debris). The remaining discrete anomalies are all of probable geological origin.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 18 September 2024.
 
October 2020-June 2021. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Area F210; Trenches 262-265).
A total of four trenches were excavated at this location, one of which was positioned to target the large probable ring-ditch identified by the preceding geophysical survey. This trench revealed two substantial ditches that clearly corresponded with the northern and southern sides of the ring-ditch. The former was 5.45m wide and 0.8m deep and the latter 5.35m wide and more than 1.1m deep. Finds were limited to three sherds of Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age pottery and a sample taken from one of the ditch fill produced only a single wheat grain and a small amount of charcoal. A number of discrete features were recorded within and adjacent to the ring-ditch, although only one could be positively identified as being broadly contemporary with this monument. This elongated pit lay immediately to the north of the ring-ditch and was found to contain a significant quantity of Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age Beaker pottery. These sherds represented at least four vessels - one 'coarse' and three 'fine'. Other finds from this feature included a small assemblage of potentially contemporary worked flints, burnt flints and several fragments of fired clay (including two possible pieces of daub with wattle impressions). Small fragments of brick were presumably intrusive. Although it had initially been thought to potentially represent a cremation burial a sample taken from a patch of darker material within this feature produced only charcoal.
Four pits recorded within the ring-ditch and a further two immediately to the south were all undated, finds being limited to a small number of prehistoric worked flint. A sample taken from one of the feature with the ring-ditch produced only a single charred wheat grain, a small amount of charcoal and tiny bone fragments.
A trench placed to investigate the second, smaller possible ring-ditch identified by the geophysical survey identified features that coincided with the south-western portion of this anomaly. These were recorded as a bank and associated internal ditch but this is somewhat doubtful given the small size of the anomaly and the lack of remains associated with its opposite side. Finds were limited to a small number of prehistoric worked flints (including a blade of Mesolithic/Early Neolithic date) and a sample taken from a deposit beneath the possible 'bank' produced only fragments of small mammal bone.
The only other features of note were adjacent north-to-south and east-to-west aligned ditches exposed in a trench excavated at the southern end of the site. Neither produced any dating evidence.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 18 September 2024.