NHER 65898 (Monument record) - Possible medieval roadside enclosure and associated remains and post-medieval and undated field boundary ditches

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 F142).
This survey identified a cluster of archaeologically-significant linear and discrete responses at the western end of the site. These include a slightly curving north-to-south aligned linear anomaly that potentially represents a ditch associated with an enclosure adjacent to Blickling Road. Numerous discrete anomalies to the west of this feature potentially represent pit-type features within this enclosure, while a short north-east to south-west linear anomaly may represent a ditch forming some kind of internal subdivision. One patch of magnetic disturbance within this possible enclosure may correspond with an area of burning or a feature such as a kiln.
Responses of note across the remainder of the site include two pairs of adjacent roughly north-to-south aligned linear anomalies thought to potentially represent former field boundaries.
A north-north-east to south-south-west aligned linear anomaly at the eastern end of the site corresponds with a former field boundary depicted on the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch 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 F142; Trenches 483-490).
Eight trenches were excavated at this location, four of which were placed to investigate the enclosure identified by the preceding geophysical survey at the western end of the site. The probable enclosure ditch itself was encountered in two trenches and the linear anomaly thought to potentially represent an internal subdivision was also shown to correspond with a ditch. Unfortunately these features produced no dating evidence. Other remains uncovered within the interior of this probable enclosure included an undated pit and several parallel north-east to south-west aligned ditches, one of which contained a small amount of early medieval pottery. Pottery of a similar date was also recovered from deposits filling what were potentially natural hollows, along with a small amount of Roman pottery.
The only features revealed across the remainder of the site were ditches, the majority of which corresponded with linear anomalies identified by the preceding geophysical survey. These included several roughly north-to-south aligned ditches that had most likely been associated with post-medieval boundaries, although none produced any dating evidence. A north-north-east to south-south-west aligned ditch uncovered by the easternmost trench corresponds with a former field boundary depicted on the Ordnance Survey First Edition Six-inch map (S1). A single, presumably residual sherd of early medieval pottery was recovered from this feature.
The one ditch that had not been identified by the geophysical survey was a north-east to south-west aligned feature. This was undated, although its 'U'-shaped profile suggested it had most likely been a field drain.
Information from draft report. Final version awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 18 September 2024.