NHER 65914 (Monument record) - Post-medieval and undated ditches and undated pits

June 2017. Aerial Imagery Interpretation.
Assessment of aerial imagery along proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms.
Two parallel, north-north-west to south-south-east aligned linear cropmarks identified in northern part of this site, the longer running between TG 16365 26608 and TG 16476 26462. Part of a group of "Possible enclosures and ditches" (Site 37).
These cropmarks were not mapped as part of the subsequent Aylsham and Brampton Aerial Investigation and Mapping (AIM) Project, suggesting they were either not visible on the sources consulted, or, more likely, were deemed to represent features of relatively recent date. This was also the case with a west-north-west to east-south-east aligned cropmark mapped as extending into this field, which clearly corresponds with a former boundary shown on the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch map (S1) (part of a group recorded as Site 38).
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 30 September 2024.

October 2017-March 2018. Geophysical Survey.
Magnetometer survey of site on proposed route of onshore cable for Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms (Area F65).
This survey identified little of potential archaeological interest. Although four parallel north-east to south-west aligned linear anomalies were recorded, three correspond with former field boundaries depicted on the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch map (S1) and it is likely the forth represents a lost element of the same field system.
The only trace of the cropmarks identified by the initial aerial imagery assessment is a weak linear anomaly regarded as being the result of agricultural activity.
No potentially archaeologically-significant discrete anomalies were identified. A number of scattered dipolar anomalies were probably caused by ferrous material on or close to the surface (most likely modern debris). The remaining discrete anomalies are thought to be of probable natural, geological origin.
A band of magnetic disturbance at the northern end of the site corresponds with the route of a former railway line (NHER 13581).
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 30 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 F159; Trenches 115-118 and 429).
Two of the five trenches excavated at this location were positioned to coincide with the linear cropmarks identified by the initial aerial imagery assessment, both of which revealed a single corresponding ditch. Neither feature produced any dating evidence. A previously unidentified north-to-south aligned ditch was also undated.
Three undated pits were also recorded, the most notable of which had a charcoal-rich fill and was associated with evidence for in situ burning. This is interpreted as a possible fire pit, although its description suggests it was similar to features seen elsewhere that are now thought to represent the remnants of small-scale charcoal production. A similar feature was recorded in the field to the west (NHER 65915).
No unstratified finds were recovered.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 30 September 2024.